Why did FIFA ban BLACKPINK's Lisa from touching the football? Fans question her treatment compared to Shakira
A new FIFA World Cup discussion is emerging on the internet, and it has little to do with the results on the pitch. Instead, fans are dissecting the visual choices made for Lisa’s new World Cup-themed performance, with many questioning why football imagery seems to be playing a smaller role than in previous tournament anthems.
The debate was sparked after a social media post went viral comparing Lisa’s performance to Shakira ’s iconic World Cup videos. The comparison immediately sparked a debate about FIFA’s marketing strategy, the choice of artists, and the placement of different generations of performers within the global brand of the tournament.
Lisa's FIFA World Cup performance raises questions of creative direction
Much of the online conversation has focused on the claim that Lisa never actually touches a football during her World Cup performance, a detail some viewers believe reflects a shift in the way that FIFA packages its music collaborations.
One popular post read:
"Why did FIFA ban Lisa from touching a football in her World Cup performance while Shakira was allowed to dance with a football for the whole video? (0:04) The difference is how FIFA values legacy (0:09) versus marketing. (0:12) Lisa has just released her official World Cup single goals with a video full of choreography that has fans going crazy. But one major element is missing, that was all over Shakira’s (0:17) Dai Dai.
Lisa doesn’t touch a football at all during the whole performance. But instead she dances with her (0:21) collaborator while Shakira built her entire visual around the ball First, Shakira (0:24) has played at four World Cups over two decades and FIFA views her as an official icon of (0:29) regarded as part of the brand itself.
Lisa was brought in to appeal to younger audiences and (0:33) improve trendy marketing, which means FIFA sees her as a marketing tool rather than a player who has (0:37) earned the right to represent the game. Secondly, the creative direction tells different stories. (0:40) The artist in Shakira’s videos is the one playing the football, dancing around the ball to express (0:44) passion, and making the game bigger than the performer.
Lisa’s goals video leverages her (0:47) dance style and star power to attract Gen Z and the World Cup is promoted indirectly through (0:51) her presence rather than actual football imagery. Third, this shows that FIFA has moved from honoring the (0:56) to chasing viral moments. Shakira got creative control because she liked the game, (0:59) but Lisa got limited because FIFA cared more about her social media reach than her connection (1:03) to the sport.
And one artist getting a football and the other not says everything about (1:06) whether FIFA cares about authenticity or just online engagement.”
FIFA World Cup music strategy reflects changing entertainment landscape
Though the claims are still fan opinions, and not verified facts, they are part of a bigger trend in sports entertainment. Today’s World Cup campaigns are built to reach audiences far beyond the traditional football fan. Today’s global music stars have become cultural ambassadors who can help bring younger viewers via social media, streaming and viral content.
Shakira’s World Cup legacy was formed in an era when tournament songs often relied on football imagery and stadium culture. Today’s campaigns operate in a very different digital environment. Artists like Lisa have huge international fan bases across music, fashion and online communities.
That difference does not necessarily mean one approach is preferable. But the discussion shows how fans are closely linked to the music of the World Cup and the identity of football. With FIFA continuing to mix sport and entertainment, every creative choice risks being heavily scrutinised by fans eager to protect the traditions that made past tournament anthems so memorable.
The debate was sparked after a social media post went viral comparing Lisa’s performance to Shakira ’s iconic World Cup videos. The comparison immediately sparked a debate about FIFA’s marketing strategy, the choice of artists, and the placement of different generations of performers within the global brand of the tournament.
Lisa's FIFA World Cup performance raises questions of creative direction
Much of the online conversation has focused on the claim that Lisa never actually touches a football during her World Cup performance, a detail some viewers believe reflects a shift in the way that FIFA packages its music collaborations.
One popular post read:
"Why did FIFA ban Lisa from touching a football in her World Cup performance while Shakira was allowed to dance with a football for the whole video? (0:04) The difference is how FIFA values legacy (0:09) versus marketing. (0:12) Lisa has just released her official World Cup single goals with a video full of choreography that has fans going crazy. But one major element is missing, that was all over Shakira’s (0:17) Dai Dai.
Lisa doesn’t touch a football at all during the whole performance. But instead she dances with her (0:21) collaborator while Shakira built her entire visual around the ball First, Shakira (0:24) has played at four World Cups over two decades and FIFA views her as an official icon of (0:29) regarded as part of the brand itself.
Lisa was brought in to appeal to younger audiences and (0:33) improve trendy marketing, which means FIFA sees her as a marketing tool rather than a player who has (0:37) earned the right to represent the game. Secondly, the creative direction tells different stories. (0:40) The artist in Shakira’s videos is the one playing the football, dancing around the ball to express (0:44) passion, and making the game bigger than the performer.
Lisa’s goals video leverages her (0:47) dance style and star power to attract Gen Z and the World Cup is promoted indirectly through (0:51) her presence rather than actual football imagery. Third, this shows that FIFA has moved from honoring the (0:56) to chasing viral moments. Shakira got creative control because she liked the game, (0:59) but Lisa got limited because FIFA cared more about her social media reach than her connection (1:03) to the sport.
And one artist getting a football and the other not says everything about (1:06) whether FIFA cares about authenticity or just online engagement.”
FIFA World Cup music strategy reflects changing entertainment landscape
Though the claims are still fan opinions, and not verified facts, they are part of a bigger trend in sports entertainment. Today’s World Cup campaigns are built to reach audiences far beyond the traditional football fan. Today’s global music stars have become cultural ambassadors who can help bring younger viewers via social media, streaming and viral content.
Shakira’s World Cup legacy was formed in an era when tournament songs often relied on football imagery and stadium culture. Today’s campaigns operate in a very different digital environment. Artists like Lisa have huge international fan bases across music, fashion and online communities.
That difference does not necessarily mean one approach is preferable. But the discussion shows how fans are closely linked to the music of the World Cup and the identity of football. With FIFA continuing to mix sport and entertainment, every creative choice risks being heavily scrutinised by fans eager to protect the traditions that made past tournament anthems so memorable.
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