‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Singer-Songwriter EJAE Duets With Andrea Bocelli on World Cup Anthem ‘DNA’ Before Mexico’s Fiery Opening Win

EJAE, the Korean American singer-songwriter behind “Golden” from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, took the global stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, performing the tournament anthem “DNA” alongside Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The performance marked the live debut of “DNA,” which FIFA released ahead of the tournament. The official recording features Bocelli, EJAE, French DJ David Guetta and American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, though Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion were not present for the ceremony.

EJAE contributed Korean lyrics to the anthem, including a line near the end of the track about rising again after falling. In a statement released by FIFA, she said writing in Korean made the project especially meaningful and called it an honor to represent South Korea on the World Cup stage.

The ceremony began shortly before noon in front of more than 80,000 fans, many dressed in Mexico’s green jerseys, as Estadio Azteca hosted a World Cup opener for the first time in 40 years.

The show highlighted Mexican and Latin American culture, drawing inspiration from the Aztec civilization, from which the stadium takes its name. Dancers in feathered costumes and performers dressed in gold carried oversized golden soccer balls across the field.

Mexican singer Lila Downs welcomed the crowd in Spanish and English before a lineup of Latin American stars took the stage, including Venezuela’s Danny Ocean, Mexican pop artists Belinda and Los Angeles Azules, rock band Mana, and Colombia’s J Balvin and Ryan Castro.

Shakira also returned to the World Cup stage, 16 years after performing “Waka Waka” at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. This time, she performed “Dai Dai,” another official song from the 2026 tournament, with Nigerian star Burna Boy.

After Mexican American actor and tournament ambassador Salma Hayek welcomed fans as the flags of all 48 competing nations were carried onto the field, Bocelli and EJAE closed the ceremony with “DNA.”

South African singer Tyla performed her country’s national anthem, followed by Alejandro Fernandez singing Mexico’s anthem. South Africa and Mexico are both in Group A with South Korea and the Czech Republic.

Mexico then opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa in a fiery match that saw three players sent off — a record for a World Cup opening match. The game featured more red cards than goals and became the most ill-tempered World Cup match since Portugal and the Netherlands combined for four red cards in 2006.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs through July 19 and is the first edition hosted by three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada — as well as the first expanded to 48 teams.

Each host country is holding its own opening ceremony. Canada and the United States are scheduled to follow with ceremonies in Toronto and Los Angeles, with BLACKPINK BLACKPINK K-POP GROUP BLACKPINK is a four-member global girl group known for their high-energy performances, luxury fashion influence, and record-breaking music videos. ’s Lisa among the performers for the Los Angeles event alongside Katy Perry, Future and Anitta.

Mexico will next face South Korea on June 19 in Guadalajara, setting up an early Group A clash between the tournament co-host and Korea.