BLACKPINK LISA’s FIFA Song Sparks Debate Over World Cup Anthems

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA’s newly released track 'Goals' by BLACKPINK's Lisa, Brazilian singer Anitta and Nigerian singer and rapper Rema has sparked debate among football and K-pop fans over whether the song reflects the spirit traditionally associated with World Cup anthems.

Released on May 20th, 'Goals' is a track which blends latin pop, K-pop and Afrobeats which is meant to reflect the borderless energy and global scale that the FIFA World Cup reaches. However, the issues many audiences have found upon its release is not the style of the song but rather the vibe and energy that the track portrays.

FIFA World Cup songs have historically played a major role in shaping the atmosphere surrounding the tournament. Beyond promotion, the tracks are often expected to emphasize unity, perseverance and celebration as countries from across the world come together through football.

A notable example is Shakira’s 2010 Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which remains one of FIFA’s most recognizable World Cup songs. It connected football, celebration and cultural identity which allowed people to feel included and celebrated. By also incorporating African musical influences tied to the host continent, Waka Waka helped define what many listeners came to expect from FIFA music releases moving forward.

Much of the criticism surrounding 'Goals,' centered on the focus of the lyrics, where rather than emphasizing football or collective celebration, some audiences argued that it centered more on confidence, high-status and personal success.

Lyrics such as "My body (Goals), my fit (Goals) My friends (Goals), my whip (Goals)" and "Me and my girls, we got our tongues out and you love it” became major discussion points online, with some listeners questioning whether the tone aligned with the message traditionally associated with FIFA World Cup music.

Another lyric that generated discussion online was Rema’s line, “Take a trip into my mind, you go see I'm all about the ego.” This left audiences with a sense of arrogance pouring out from within the song. The reaction online has extended beyond K-pop fandom spaces, with some football fans also questioning whether the song reflects the spirit traditionally associated with the FIFA World Cup.

At the same time, other listeners defended the collaboration, by arguing that modern FIFA songs should naturally evolve alongside global music trends. As the industry changes and adapts some audiences believe that so should these events. Since the songs are released as a part of an album as well, the production style is reflective of FIFA’s increasingly global entertainment strategy.

The discussion surrounding 'Goals' ultimately highlights the evolving role of FIFA music in the global pop era and the argument of which message should tracks representing such momentous events send. While some listeners continue to associate World Cup songs with inspiration and unity, others see modern collaborations as an extension of contemporary international pop culture. However, with football remaining one of the world’s most globally followed sports, expectations surrounding World Cup music releases will continue to remain especially high every tournament cycle.