The official anthem for FIFA World Cup 2026 has sparked major controversy across the global music and football communities. Titled “Goals,” the track brings together BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Brazilian pop powerhouse Anitta, and Nigerian sensation Rema, with production handled by the renowned duo Tropkillaz.
While intended to be an energetic cross-cultural masterpiece blending K-pop, Latin pop, and Afrobeats, the song has faced massive backlash on social media, with fans heavily criticizing its lyrical content for entirely missing the mark.
“Self-Obsessed” Lyrics
The primary driver behind the criticism is that the track feels more like a standard glam-pop club record rather than an inspiring sports anthem meant to celebrate passion, competition, and global sportsmanship.
Lisa, Anitta and Rema have released the new FIFA World Cup 2026 song, Goals. Rate it from 1 to 10. pic.twitter.com/DuPX4axptj
— About Music (@AboutMusicYT) May 21, 2026
Football enthusiasts have pointed out specific lines in the track that feel completely disconnected from the spirit of the World Cup:
Materialistic Tone: Fans highlighted lyrics like “My body, my fit, my friends, my whip” and “Buy out the club, I do it for the plot,” arguing that the song heavily focuses on personal wealth, physical vanity, and luxury lifestyles.
Cultural Mismatch: Critics have slammed the tone, pointing out that the World Cup is a rare historical moment where individuals from all walks of life, financial statuses, and global ethnicities unite. Social media users expressed disappointment that the chosen theme centers around being rich, skinny, and attractive instead of promoting global solidarity.
Comparisons to Past Anthems
The release of “Goals” immediately triggered unfavorable comparisons to legendary sports tracks, with many branding the new song a definitive “downgrade” in FIFA’s musical history.
Shakira and Jungkook Hold the Standard
Internet users heavily referenced Shakira’s legendary “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” from 2010 and Jungkook’s “Dreamers” from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, noting that those tracks successfully captured raw emotional intensity, stadium energy, and a genuine celebration of the sport.
The “Tukoh Taka” Comparison
Some critics on X (formerly Twitter) went as far as claiming that “Goals” has managed to eclipse the polarizing 2022 track “Tukoh Taka” as the most underwhelming and disappointing release in modern FIFA history.
Commercial Success of ‘Goals’
Despite the overwhelming lyrical criticism, the track remains an undeniable commercial juggernaut due to the immense star power of the trio. Within less than 24 hours of its release, the official music video comfortably cleared 2.5 million views on YouTube, proving that the integrated global fanbases are still turning up to support the release.
Before You Go
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: abplive.com
