In a surprising turn of events, Hoyeon made her debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, marking a historic moment as the first Korean actor to take part in the ceremony. The event took place on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Argentina faced Spain in the final match.

Hoyeon's Role in the Ceremony

Hoyeon, whose full name is Jung Ho-yeon, walked onto the pitch carrying the FIFA World Cup trophy in a specially designed Louis Vuitton case. She was accompanied by Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz as part of the Trophy Trunk Ceremony, a significant event where the championship trophy is presented on the field before kickoff.

A Global Ambassador

Selected as a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, Hoyeon played a key role in this year's tournament, as the fashion house has been responsible for creating the official travel case for the World Cup trophy since the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Hoyeon gained international recognition for her role in Netflix's "Squid Game" and has since made strides in both acting and fashion, solidifying her status as a leading global star from Korea.

Despite South Korea not advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament, Korean talent still shone at the World Cup final. Alongside Hoyeon, the globally popular group BTS performed during the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, captivating the audience with their hit song "Dynamite," which included soccer-themed lyrics. This blend of sports and entertainment highlighted the cultural impact of Korean stars on the world stage.