POP MART's LABUBU unexpectedly shows up at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

      In the early morning, the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place at the renowned Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, enchanting hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. However, in China, the biggest highlight of the evening was not a player from any national team, but rather LABUBU, the original designer toy intellectual property from China.

      Developed by Kasing Lung, a signed artist for POP MART, LABUBU was showcased on stage as two massive mascots. One donned the jersey of Argentina’s national team while proudly holding the FIFA World Cup Trophy, and the other was dressed in the colors of Mexico, carrying a bucket of popcorn.

      Their fun appearance and antics at the midfield quickly drew the attention of both spectators and viewers. This performance marked the first time since the tournament's beginning in 1930 that a Chinese original IP was invited to be part of a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.

      News of the appearance rapidly ignited discussions on Chinese social media. Hashtags like #LABUBUDebutsAtTheWorldCup soared to the top of trending topics on Weibo.

      Chinese internet users reacted with humor and pride. One user quipped, “This is probably the closest China’s national team has ever been to the World Cup,” while another commented, “Other countries start Messi, but we start LABUBU.”

      After the performance, POP MART announced the launch of its collaboration collection, THE MONSTERS × FIFA World Cup, which included blind boxes and themed merchandise, available simultaneously in over 40 countries and regions. The online inventory reportedly sold out on the first day.

      LABUBU’s presence symbolized more than just a commercial alliance; it highlighted FIFA’s efforts to enhance its engagement with Asian audiences, particularly younger consumers in China.

      LABUBU has experienced rapid growth in international markets, especially in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America, becoming one of the most recognized designer toy IPs globally. The franchise behind LABUBU, The Monsters, generated approximately RMB 4.81 billion ($670 million) in revenue during the first half of 2025.

      In February, Pop Mart revealed that LABUBU surpassed 100 million units in sales in 2025, according to the company’s data.

      From Made in China to Created in China, LABUBU's presence at the World Cup underscores the expanding international footprint of Chinese original IPs. As the character gains recognition among consumers globally, it also reflects the heightened visibility of Chinese designers and creative brands in the international marketplace.

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. You can connect with her via email at jessie.wu@technode.com.