"Even if You Fall, Get Back Up Again" — Korean Lyrics Echo at the FIFA World Cup as EJAE, Lisa and BTS Take Over K-pop

[Financial News] The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world's biggest sporting event, will be accompanied by K-pop stars from the opening ceremony to the final.
EJAE, who rose to global fame through the soundtrack of Netflix's animated film KPop Demon Hunters, took the stage at the opening ceremony to sing the official World Cup anthem, while Blackpink's Lisa also performed at the event. BTS will headline the final.
With Korean lyrics included in the official World Cup anthem and K-pop artists lined up for major stages at both the opening ceremony and the final, the tournament is being seen as another showcase of K-pop's global influence.
The opening ceremony began at 2:42 a.m. on the 12th before an audience of about 90,000 at Mexico City Stadium. The venue is iconic, as it was where football legend Pelé and Argentina's Diego Maradona once lifted the World Cup trophy.
A song containing Korean lyrics rang out at the venue.
Ahead of the ceremony, FIFA announced that "singer EJAE and world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli will premiere the official anthem, 'DNA,' at the World Cup opening ceremony on the 12th at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico."

The anthem features global artists including EJAE, Bocelli, world-famous DJ David Guetta and U.S. rapper Megan Thee Stallion. In particular, the song drew attention for its Korean lyrics, including "Even if I fall again, I get back up again" and "It's okay to fall, get back up again."


In a video released by FIFA, EJAE performed with Bocelli, moving between English and Korean. The lyrics carried the message, "This is more than just a game, it's our DNA."
EJAE, a Korean American singer-songwriter, drew global attention after taking part in the soundtrack work for Netflix's animated film KPop Demon Hunters. Through FIFA, she said, "I am very happy to be part of this project," and added, "It is even more meaningful that I could write the Korean lyrics myself, and it is a great honor to represent South Korea at the World Cup opening ceremony."
Andrea Bocelli also posted a photo with EJAE on his social networking service (SNS), writing, "When music brings together stories, cultures and worlds that seem far apart, something special is born." He then announced that the two would perform together at the opening ceremony.
Since the 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the opening events are also being held in sequence across the host countries.
Lisa of Blackpink appeared at the opening ceremony in Los Angeles, United States. She took the stage with U.S. pop star Katy Perry and Paraguayan singer Marilina Bogado, helping build a festive atmosphere.

K-pop will also appear at the final, which will cap off the World Cup. The final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York and New Jersey, will feature the first-ever halftime show in World Cup history.
BTS is expected to headline the stage alongside global pop stars. This will be the first time a halftime show is introduced at a FIFA World Cup final. On that stage, BTS will meet football fans together with global stars such as Madonna and Shakira.

y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter