Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and K-pop star EJAE perform the official FIFA World Cup anthem, "DNA" before the opening game of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa at Aztec Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico, on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
June 12 (Asia Today) -- The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with K-pop voices and performances woven into the tournament's first major stages.
The tournament is the first World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. With three host countries, opening events were held across North America, placing global pop, Latin music, hip-hop, Afrobeats and K-pop at the center of the celebration.
The first opening ceremony took place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City before the match between Mexico and South Africa. Korean-American singer and songwriter EJAE performed "DNA," the official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem, with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
The anthem also features David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion. EJAE performed Korean lyrics during the ceremony, including a line that translates as, "Even if I fall again, I rise again." Video of the moment spread quickly online after the performance.
