A History of World Cup Songs

The Soundtrack of the Beautiful Game: A History of World Cup Songs

Every four years, FIFA attempts to capture the global energy of football in a single melody. While local tunes existed before, the tradition of an "Official Theme" began in 1962, eventually evolving into today's multi-track releases featuring separate global "Songs" (pop hits) and "Anthems" (stadium pieces).

The sonic history of the FIFA World Cup breaks down into three distinct eras.

1. The Modern Global Hits (2000-2026)

In the 21st century, the tournament's soundtrack embraced streaming culture, high-energy pop, and star-studded collaborations.

2026 (USA/CAN/MEX): Lighter (Jelly Roll & Carín León) and Goals (LISA, Anitta, & Rema).
LISA, Anitta, Rema, FIFA Sound - Goals (FIFA World Cup 2026™) [Official Music Video]
2022 (Qatar): Hayya Hayya (Better Together) (Trinidad Cardona, Davido, & AISHA) and Dreamers (Jung Kook of BTS).
Hayya Hayya (Better Together) | FIFA World Cup 2022™ Official Soundtrack
정국 (Jung Kook) 'Dreamers' @ FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Opening Ceremony

2018 (Russia): Live It Up (Nicky Jam ft. Will Smith & Era Istrefi).
Live It Up - Nicky Jam feat. Will Smith & Era Istrefi (2018 FIFA World Cup Russia) (Official Audio)
2014 (Brazil): We Are One (Ole Ola) (Pitbull ft. Jennifer Lopez) and Dar um Jeito (Santana ft. Wyclef).
We Are One (Ole Ola) [The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Song] (Olodum Mix)
2010 (South Africa): Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira. It remains the most commercially successful and viewed World Cup song in history, alongside K'naan's massive promotional anthem, Wavin' Flag.
Shakira - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Song)
2006 (Germany): The Time of Our Lives (Il Divo ft. Toni Braxton).
The Time of Our Lives (The Official Song of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany) (Global / Int...
2002 (Korea/Japan): Boom (Anastacia) and the grand orchestral Anthem by Vangelis.
Anastacia - Boom at FIFA World Cup Show (2002)

2. The Pop Transition (1982-1998)

This era shifted World Cup music away from local marches and toward mainstream radio success, blending regional passion with global pop production.

1998 (France): La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life) by Ricky Martin. This track revolutionized the tournament's music by becoming a massive global number-one hit.
Ricky Martin - La Copa de la Vida (Official Video - Spanglish)
1994 (USA): Gloryland (Daryl Hall and Sounds of Blackness).
Gloryland (USA 1994) (Official Video) - YouTube
1990 (Italy): Un'estate italiana (Edoardo Bennato & Gianna Nannini). Known as "Notti Magiche" (Magical Nights), it is widely regarded by football fans as the most emotional and beloved tournament song of all time.
Gianna Nannini, Edoardo Bennato - Un'estate italiana. Live cerimonia di apertura Italia '90 (1990)
1986 (Mexico): El mundo unido por un balón (Juan Carlos Abara).
El mundo unido por un balón (Official song Mexico 86)
1982 (Spain): Mundial '82 (Plácido Domingo).
Placido Domingo El mundial Cancin oficial de Espaa1982

3. The Early Years (1962-1978)

The earliest iterations were heavily characterized by traditional marches, rock-and-roll novelty tracks, and local symphony compositions.

1978 (Argentina): El Mundial (An instrumental piece by the Buenos Aires Municipal Symphony).
1974 (W. Germany): Futbol (Maryla Rodowicz).
1970 (Mexico): Fútbol México 70 (Los Hermanos Zavala).
1966 (England): World Cup Willie (Lonnie Donegan) - named after the tournament's lion mascot.
1962 (Chile): El Rock del Mundial (Los Ramblers). This rockabilly track holds the title of the very first official World Cup song.