“What a downgrade”: FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem 'Goals' starring Lisa sparks backlash before official release

BLACKPINK’s Lisa is embroiled in yet another online controversy, this time over the Goals, the upcoming anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The clip, released on May 20 by FIFA, features Lisa alongside Brazilian singer Anitta and Nigerian rapper Rema, and has since sparked fierce reactions across social media in the hours after the short teaser was revealed.The 10-second preview was brief but it was enough to split opinion among music fans worldwide. Some praised the international cooperation and energetic visuals, but others wondered if the song had the emotional punch fans usually look for in a FIFA World Cup anthem. The debate soon became one of the hottest conversations both in K-pop and football circles online.The teaser for Goals, produced by Tropkillaz, blended flashy choreography, street football visuals, and electronic beats. Yet many listeners immediately compared it to iconic FIFA songs from previous tournaments. Some fans felt the snippet lacked the larger-than-life feeling associated with World Cup music.One user wrote, “We went from Waka Waka and Dreamers to whatever this is. What a downgrade.”Another fan criticized the sound by saying, “We have genuinely lost the plot of what a WORLD CUP song should sound like. This sounds like it was made in an AI music generator app. It's so generic and bad.” Another added, "@PopBase We went from shakira to whatever mess this is 😭."Several posts also questioned whether the teaser reflected Lisa’s musical strengths.Comparisons to past FIFA performers such as Shakira and Jungkook quickly flooded X, formerly Twitter.Still, a large section of fans defended the trio and urged critics not to judge an unreleased song based on a few seconds of footage. One supporter responded, “The song hasn't even come out yet, so how's it generic?”Another fan wrote, “Don't judge too soon Wait to hear it😏”Despite the criticism, Lisa’s latest milestone continues to generate major attention globally. The BLACKPINK rapper is set to become the first female K-pop idol to perform at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.The event will take place at SoFi Stadium on June 12, 2026.The year has already been packed with major achievements for the Thai superstar. Earlier this year, she surprised fans with a performance at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and later grabbed headlines with her appearance at the Met Gala in a custom Robert Wun look inspired by traditional Thai dance.Lisa is also preparing for a three-night Las Vegas residency later this year, adding yet another major moment to her growing international career. Whether Goals becomes the next iconic FIFA anthem or not, the conversation surrounding its release has already proven one thing: Lisa remains one of the most talked-about stars in global pop culture.