If you follow K-pop at all, you already know the feeling when a Korean artist steps onto a truly global stage and absolutely owns it. On June 11, 2026, EJAE did exactly that, singing the official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem in front of nearly 87,500 people at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City alongside legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli. This was not just a performance. It was a statement, and the world heard it clearly.
Who Is EJAE?
EJAE is a Korean-American singer-songwriter whose career took a significant leap forward through her work on the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters. She co-wrote and performed the film’s breakout theme song “Golden”, also voicing the main character Rumi, which introduced her to a massive global audience and positioned her as one of the most compelling voices to emerge from the K-pop adjacent space.
However, EJAE’s creative identity goes far beyond one project. She holds Academy Award, Grammy Award, and Golden Globe Award credits as a songwriter, placing her among a rare group of artists who operate at the intersection of mainstream pop and deeply personal storytelling. Her work on KPop Demon Hunters gave her international visibility, and her selection for the FIFA World Cup anthem “DNA” confirmed that her profile had reached an entirely new level.
For many fans worldwide, though, the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony was the definitive moment EJAE’s name went truly global.
What Is “DNA” and Who Made It?
“DNA” is the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and FIFA released it on June 10, 2026, one day before the opening ceremony in Mexico City.
The track brings together four major artists across very different musical worlds, with David Guetta handling production and electronic composition, giving the anthem its contemporary, large-scale sound.
| Artist | Contribution |
| Andrea Bocelli | Classical tenor vocals |
| EJAE | Vocals and Korean lyric writer |
| David Guetta | DJ, producer, electronic production |
| Megan Thee Stallion | Rap and hip-hop feature |
The core message of the anthem is direct and resonant: “It’s more than just a game, it’s our DNA.” FIFA described the track as a blend of classical grandeur, contemporary artistry, and electronic production, designed to capture the identity, unity, and belonging at the heart of the tournament. Bocelli brings emotional weight and classical tradition, Guetta provides scale and universality, and EJAE delivers the voice of the global fan experience.
However, what made the anthem genuinely historic was the inclusion of Korean-language lyrics, written entirely by EJAE herself.
The Korean Lyrics That Moved the Crowd
EJAE wrote the Korean section of “DNA” personally, and one line in particular became the emotional centerpiece of the live performance. The lyric translates to “Even if I fall again, I get back up,” and when it rang out inside Estadio Azteca, the crowd responded with visible, widespread emotion.
EJAE performed in a blue halter-neck dress, harmonizing with Bocelli in a way that let both voices breathe without either overwhelming the other. After the performance, the two artists raised their hands together to acknowledge the roaring crowd.
The moment generated significant reaction across Korean and international media, with many outlets and fans highlighting EJAE’s Korean lyrics section as one of the most memorable and emotionally charged moments of the entire ceremony. For Korean audiences specifically, hearing their language sung at this scale, on this stage, carried a weight that went well beyond the performance itself.
EJAE’s own words capture it best. In her official FIFA statement she said: “Being a part of the Official FIFA World Cup Anthem means so much to me. It’s especially meaningful because I was able to write Korean lyrics in the song, representing South Korea on this stage is such an honour.”
She also tied the moment to something deeply personal. “One of my favorite childhood memories is being in Seoul during the 2002 World Cup, and seeing the city unite,” she said. “I’ll never forget the feeling of seeing strangers on the street hug each other and celebrate. To me, that feeling of togetherness is what the World Cup means, and I’m grateful to be a part of it this year.”
A Historic Milestone for K-Pop on the World Stage
EJAE’s role in “DNA” marks one of the first times Korean-language lyrics have featured in an official FIFA World Cup anthem. While K-pop artists have performed at major global events before, the combination of writing and performing Korean lyrics within the official anthem of the world’s largest sporting tournament is a distinction that sets this moment apart.
It also signals something broader about where K-pop stands in 2026. The genre’s global footprint has grown consistently over the past decade, and EJAE’s presence at the center of this ceremony, not as a support act but as a co-lead performer on the official anthem, reflects how far that reach now extends.
This performance is also widely expected to accelerate EJAE’s solo profile internationally, introducing her to millions of viewers across the global broadcast who may not have encountered her work through KPop Demon Hunters or her songwriting credits.
How the Opening Ceremony Unfolded
The ceremony ran for approximately 16 to 17 minutes at Estadio Azteca, ahead of the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa. It was broadcast live globally, including on FOX in the United States, and the stadium was hosting a World Cup opening match for the first time in 40 years.
The full performance lineup ran as follows:
- Lila Downs opened by welcoming the world in Spanish and English
- Danny Ocean performed, with dancers in traditional Mexican dress
- Belinda and Los Angeles Azules followed with their World Cup album collaboration
- Mana had the crowd singing along to their 1992 classic
- J Balvin and Ryan Castro performed a medley including their joint tracks
- Shakira performed the World Cup anthem “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy, returning to the World Cup stage 16 years after “Waka Waka”
- Salma Hayek Pinault, serving as tournament ambassador, welcomed all 48 nations with a flag procession
- Andrea Bocelli and EJAE closed the musical portion with the live world debut of “DNA”
- Tyla sang South Africa’s national anthem
- Alejandro Fernandez performed the Mexican national anthem
Red and green smoke then burst into the air to officially signal the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, followed by Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0 in the opener.
Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup Is Already Historic
Beyond the ceremony itself, this tournament carries several firsts that make it genuinely landmark:
- First World Cup co-hosted by three countries, specifically the United States, Canada, and Mexico
- First tournament with 48 competing teams, expanded from the previous 32
- First World Cup to feature an NFL-style halftime show during the final match
- Matches spread across 16 host cities
The opening ceremonies reflected this three-country structure, with separate events in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles.
K-Pop’s Full Presence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
EJAE’s opening ceremony performance is only the first chapter of K-pop’s role at this tournament. Here is a confirmed and reported breakdown of where Korean artists appear across the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
| Event | Artist | Details | Status |
| Mexico City Opening Ceremony | EJAE | Performed “DNA” with Andrea Bocelli | Confirmed |
| Los Angeles Opening Ceremony | BLACKPINK’s Lisa | Headlining alongside Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Rema, and Tyla | Reported |
| Los Angeles Opening Ceremony | Lisa feat. Anitta and Rema | Performing “Goals” from the official World Cup soundtrack | Reported |
| World Cup Final Halftime Show | BTS | Expected to co-headline with Madonna and Shakira at MetLife Stadium on July 19 | Reported |
Note that the Los Angeles ceremony details and the BTS halftime show have been widely reported but are not yet fully confirmed by FIFA at the time of writing.
From Seoul 2002 to Mexico City 2026
There is something genuinely moving about the full arc of EJAE’s connection to this moment. She grew up in Seoul watching the 2002 World Cup, experiencing that rare collective joy of seeing strangers embrace in the streets over a shared national moment. More than two decades later, she stood at the center of the 2026 opening stage and sent Korean lyrics out across a crowd of nearly 87,500 people, broadcast to millions more around the world.
For fans of K-pop, gaming culture, and global pop moments, this is the kind of crossover that does not come around often. The FIFA World Cup and K-pop have both grown into genuinely worldwide phenomena, and on June 11, 2026, they shared the same stage at one of the most storied football venues on the planet.
You can stream “DNA” now on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues through July 19, 2026, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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