EJAE Joins FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony Lineup
EJAE to Perform at FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony
The singer behind HUNTR/X’s breakout music expands her global reach as K-pop gains a bigger role on football's largest stage.
Highlights
- EJAE, known for KPop Demon Hunters’ award-winning song Golden, will perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony.
- The performance will feature the official FIFA anthem DNA, including artists like Andrea Bocelli.
- EJAE’s appearance highlights the growing global influence of K-pop and expands the reach of the KPop Demon Hunters franchise.
EJAE, the singer-songwriter behind KPop Demon Hunters’ Oscar-winning song Golden, will perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11. FIFA has confirmed the Korean-American artist will take the stage at Estadio Azteca to debut DNA, the official tournament anthem, alongside legendary Andrea Bocelli.
The track also features popular artists DJ David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion on the recording. The FIFA opening ceremony begins at 11:30 am CST, ahead of the kickoff match between Mexico and South Africa.
EJAE has expressed excitement and gratitude about the opportunity, recalling her childhood memories tied to the 2002 World Cup, which was hosted in Seoul. She stated that DNA is “especially meaningful because I was able to write Korean lyrics in the song — representing Korea on this stage is such an honor.”
EJAE and KPop Demon Hunters: From Streaming Hit to FIFA World Cup 2026 Stage
Born as Kim Eun-jae in Seoul in 1991, EJAE spent nearly a decade as a trainee at SM Entertainment before shifting to songwriting. Golden, which EJAE co-wrote, became a breakout success. The song went on to win Grammys and Academy Awards, while charting on Billboard even in March 2026. Golden was the first K-pop song to win an Academy Award, significantly boosting Korean pop culture’s value globally.
K-pop's presence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup extends beyond Mexico, with artists featured in other opening ceremonies and the tournament finale. BLACKPINK’s Lisa headlines the U.S. opening ceremony in Los Angeles on June 12, performing Goals.
Global sensation BTS is performing at the first-ever halftime show during the World Cup final. The final is scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
While the other K-pop artists are already well-established international singers, EJAE’s performance highlights how a streaming property is expanding into live sports ceremonies. The World Cup opening ceremony will significantly boost KPop Demon Hunters' visibility and IP value.
The spectacle is massive; the FIFA 2026 World Cup is being hosted across three countries and 48 cities for the first time. EJAE echoed the sentiment in her statement. “To me, that feeling of togetherness is what the World Cup means, and I'm grateful to be a part of it this year!” she stated.
The announcement arrives as Netflix celebrates the first anniversary of KPop Demon Hunters on June 20. The program reflects how franchise-driven music and Korean pop culture continue to gain influence in some of the world’s largest cultural celebrations.
Author
Kamalikaa Biswas is a content writer at Outlook Respawn specializing in pop culture. She holds a Master's in English Literature from University of Delhi and leverages her media industry experience to deliver insightful content on the latest youth culture trends.
