Lisa Lip-Sync Backlash Builds Ahead of FIFA World Cup Los Angeles Ceremony

BLACKPINK member LISA is facing renewed online criticism over alleged lip-syncing before her scheduled appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening celebrations in Los Angeles on June 12. The Lisa World Cup debate intensified after a resurfaced concert clip prompted fresh arguments about her live-performance record, while supporters circulated older performance videos in response.¹

FIFA has continued to list LISA among the artists appearing in the Los Angeles ceremonies, alongside Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Rema and Tyla.² The controversy has therefore developed around a confirmed event booking rather than a reported or speculative appearance.

Lisa Lip-Sync Debate Reaches World Cup Stage

The Times of India reported on June 11 that criticism of LISA’s upcoming World Cup appearance grew online after a concert clip resurfaced and renewed questions about whether she can deliver a fully live performance. The report described a split reaction: some users questioned her ability to perform live at a global sporting event, while fans responded by sharing past clips they said showed her stage ability.¹

The debate follows an earlier round of scrutiny tied to “Goals,” the FIFA World Cup 2026 album single featuring LISA, Anitta and Rema. FIFA announced the track on May 20 as part of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album and said it would be performed live for the first time at the Los Angeles opening ceremony on June 12.³

Moneycontrol reported on May 22 that “Goals” had drawn divided online reaction after release, with criticism focused on lyrics and visuals that some users felt did not match the unity-focused tone often associated with World Cup music.⁴ That earlier response gave the performance a second layer of attention before the Los Angeles ceremony: not only how the song is received, but how LISA and the other artists deliver it on stage.

The available source material does not include a response from LISA, BLACKPINK’s representatives, or FIFA specifically addressing the lip-sync criticism. FIFA’s own announcements have focused on the event lineup, ceremony schedule and the release of “Goals.”

FIFA Confirms Los Angeles Lineup

FIFA’s May 8 announcement said Los Angeles Stadium would host the United States opening ceremony on June 12, 90 minutes before kickoff. The organization named Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla as confirmed headliners for the U.S. ceremony, which is one of three opening events across Mexico, Canada and the United States.⁵

FIFA President Gianni Infantino framed the Los Angeles event as part of the tournament’s larger scale, saying: “This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become.”⁵

A June 11 FIFA update added further ceremony details for Los Angeles. Dan + Shay are scheduled to perform the United States national anthem, while Purahei Soul will perform Paraguay’s anthem before the U.S.-Paraguay match at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12. The same update again listed Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla among the artists appearing in the Los Angeles ceremonies.²

Before FIFA’s official May announcements, Korea JoongAng Daily reported on May 9 that LISA was expected to perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, citing The Athletic’s report that she had finalized a performance agreement with FIFA. That report placed her with the Los Angeles lineup before the United States-Paraguay match at SoFi Stadium.⁶

The later FIFA releases confirmed the broader Los Angeles ceremony lineup and identified Los Angeles Stadium as the venue in its official wording.²⁵

“Goals” Adds Context to the Backlash

The current criticism is also tied to LISA’s role in FIFA’s music rollout for the tournament. FIFA said LISA, Anitta and Rema released “Goals” for the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album and that the song would receive its first live performance at the Los Angeles opening ceremony.³

In FIFA’s release, LISA described music as a global connector, saying: “Music always unites people across the world.”³ That message aligned the single with the international framing of the tournament, but public reaction to the song has not been uniform.

Moneycontrol reported that some online users criticized the song’s lyrics and visual presentation, arguing that they did not fit the tone many listeners associate with World Cup music.⁴ The new lip-sync discussion has now shifted attention from the song’s content to the performance expectations surrounding the Los Angeles ceremony.

For LISA, the issue is unfolding at a point when FIFA has already positioned her as part of a multi-artist opening event. The confirmed lineup includes performers from pop, hip-hop, Latin and African music scenes, while the ceremony itself is attached to the United States’ opening match against Paraguay.²

Lisa lip-sync backlash FIFA World Cup Los Angeles ceremony microphone concept

The central facts remain limited but clear: LISA is listed by FIFA among the Los Angeles ceremony artists, “Goals” is scheduled for its first live performance at the June 12 opening ceremony, and online criticism over alleged lip-syncing has intensified before the event. With no source-backed response from LISA or FIFA to the backlash in the available material, the next public test of the debate will be the Los Angeles performance itself.