Why did Lisa's World Cup 2026 song receive such a backlash?

VHO - "Goals," the promotional song for the FIFA World Cup 2026 featuring Lisa (BlackPink), Anitta, and Rema, despite its large investment and the participation of many famous international artists, still faced fierce criticism for its superficial lyrics and lack of the spirit of unity associated with previous World Cups.

From the moment it was released, the song "Goals" attracted global attention thanks to the appearance of Lisa, a member of BlackPink. Joining the idol are Brazilian singer Anitta and Nigerian artist Rema.

With a blend of three distinct musical styles, many viewers expect this to be an explosive track, embodying the festive spirit characteristic of FIFA's football celebrations.

However, after its release, Goals quickly generated mixed opinions. While fans appreciated the song's lively melody, catchy rhythm, and energetic atmosphere, many netizens felt the song didn't quite capture the spirit of a World Cup anthem.

The song "Goals" received a mostly negative reaction from the online community.

The biggest point of contention lies in the lyrics. Instead of conveying a message about the connection between nations, the love of football, or global solidarity, the song focuses on individual image, appearance, and party-like celebrations. Some sections of Lisa and Anitta's lyrics have been criticized as resembling commercial dance music more than a song representing the world's biggest sporting event.

On international forums, many viewers expressed disappointment. Some even used the word "embarrassing" to describe the song's content when compared to classic World Cup songs from previous tournaments.

Amidst the controversy, Goals has been repeatedly compared to Dreamers - the official song of the 2022 World Cup performed by BTS's Jungkook.

Dreamers received much praise for its energetic melody, inspiring message, and especially its impressive live performance at the opening ceremony in Qatar. For many fans, Jungkook's song feels closer to the spirit of football as it emphasizes the pursuit of dreams and community connection.

Lisa becoming the next Kpop idol to participate in a World Cup music project has also increased public pressure. With BlackPink and BTS frequently compared as the two leading global Kpop groups, any product related to the two artists is inevitably subject to comparison.

However, many fans argue that directly criticizing Lisa is unfair. They believe the idol is only one of three artists performing the song, while the musical direction and song content ultimately depend on the production team behind it.

Images of Lisa in the song "Goals"

Currently, FIFA has not released the full list of lyricists for Goals . However, the production team has confirmed that the song was produced by Cirkut, a Grammy-winning producer, and his collaborators. This indicates a significant investment in the project's sound and a modern, international pop style.

Some argue that Goals may be targeting a younger generation of listeners, prioritizing entertainment over message depth. In a context where mainstream music is increasingly influenced by TikTok and other short -video platforms, catchy, upbeat songs are often preferred.

Nevertheless, the controversy surrounding Goals also reflects the high expectations of the public for World Cup songs. For football fans, the tournament's theme music is not simply entertainment but also symbolic, representing the spirit of unity, the emotion of victory, and global pride.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/nghe-thuat/vi-sao-ca-khuc-world-cup-2026-cua-lisa-nhan-phan-ung-du-doi-231869.html