I am not what you would call an avid soccer fan.
I rarely follow league standings, transfer rumors or match schedules. Yet as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off, I found myself paying attention anyway.
Not because of the soccer.
But because of Labubu.
Pop Mart's designer toy with its toothy grin made a surprise appearance during the World Cup opening ceremony. Within hours, Chinese social media exploded with chatter, and one of the most popular quips was that while Team China failed to reach the World Cup, Labubu had made it onto soccer's biggest stage.
