Labubu Appears at the Opening of the 2026 World Cup, China's First IP in the Main Event

JAKARTA - Labubu also caught the attention at the opening of the 2026 World Cup. Citing China Daily, Friday, June 12, the main character from Pop Mart's The Monsters franchise became the first Chinese original IP to appear in the opening ceremony of the tournament.

IP or intellectual property is intellectual property in the form of characters, brands, designs, or creative works that are owned and developed commercially. In this case, Labubu is not just a cute doll, but a character that is part of the global entertainment and collection business.

The 2026 World Cup is jointly held by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament officially began on Thursday with an opening ceremony attended by international celebrities, athletes, and fans from various countries.

Labubu's appearance shows how Chinese entertainment brands are starting to get a space on the world's biggest sports stage. Pop Mart continues to expand its global market through designer toys and character collections.

In April, The Monsters × FIFA collaboration triggered a surge in sales. Labubu's appearance at the opening of the World Cup strengthened Pop Mart's position in bringing Chinese collection characters to the international market.