We all know the names Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Haaland, but at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, music has become one of the tournament’s most unexpected stars.
Goals are now followed by carefully selected anthems blasting through stadium speakers. After victories, the winning team and their supporters have their own soundtrack they sing together. Players who grew up on different continents all find themselves singing the same songs along with a chorus of strangers in sold-out stadiums across North America.
In many ways, the tournament has become a global jukebox.
FIFA recruited the help of some of the world’s biggest recording artists for its 18-track official 2026 World Cup Album, but it also asked each of the 48 participating nations to submit songs to be played inside the stadium during pregame warmups, hydration breaks, after goals and victories.
Most countries selected one song for goals and another for victories, though several federations have adjusted their choices throughout the tournament as certain tracks caught fire with supporters.
When England defeated Croatia in Dallas, tens of thousands of supporters belted out “Three Lions” as if it were a second national anthem. Hours later, clips of the squad singing Oasis’ “Wonderwall” back toward traveling fans exploded across social media. England has also embraced Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” Planet Funk’s “Chase the Sun” and even The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” throughout the tournament.
Australia leaned heavily into its identity after defeating Turkey, celebrating to Men At Work’s “Land Down Under” while AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” continues serving as one of the tournament’s most recognizable goal songs.
Then there is the United States.
Fans of Norway take part in the Viking Row during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and Senegal. Getty ImagesNo nation has embraced the concept quite like Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
The Americans entered the tournament with a playlist that feels less like a coordinated marketing campaign and more like a cross-country road trip. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Lupe Fiasco’s “The Show Goes On,” J-Rock’s “Win” and John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” have all emerged as unofficial USMNT anthems.
The image of players and supporters singing “Country Roads” together after the United States’ victory over Australia in Seattle became one of the defining viral moments of the group stage, and The Post broke the story on how it came to be.
Erling Haaland #9 of Norway and teammates celebrate with fans with a ‘Viking Row’ after their, 3-2, win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and Senegal. FIFA via Getty ImagesWe’ve watched and listened throughout all 44 matches so far and scoured the internet to see which songs fans have identified as well.
Here is the unofficial list of all 48 nations’ songs:
Algeria: “One, two, three, viva l’Algérie!” by Medi Meyz
Argentina: “La cumbia de los trapos” by Yerba Brava and “Luz Delito” by WOS
Austria: “Maria (I Like It Loud)” by Scooter
Australia: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
Belgium: “Kiss The Grass (Allez Allez)” by Roméo Elvis and Sylvie Kreusch
Bosnia and Herzegovina: “Take Me To America” by Dubioza Kollektiv
Brazil: “Esquentando o Couro” by O Brasil escolheu and “Samba de Janeiro”
English fans celebrate a goal during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match against Croatia. The Dallas Morning News via Getty ImagesCanada: “Goals” by LISA, Anitta & Rema
Cape Verde: “SIKI SIKI (Remix)” by Lisandro Cuxi & Loony Johnson
Colombia: “EL RITMO QUE NOS UNE” by Ryan Castro & SOG
Croatia: “Moja domovina” by Hrvatski Band Aid
Curaçao: “Bluewave” by Jeon Arvani
Czechia: “Národní tým” by DJ Nassi and “Seven Nation Army (Remix) by Mickie Krause.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: “Congo Elonga” by Donat Mwanza
Ecuador: “Ecuador, Si Se Puede” by Damiano
Egypt: “Bilady, Bilady, Bilady” by Sayed Darwis & Yunis El Qadi
England: “Chase the Sun” by Planet Funk, “Wonderwall” by Oasis, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, and “Hey Jude” by The Beatles.
France: “One More Time” by Daft Punk and “Song 2” by Blur
Germany: “Major Tom” by Peter Schilling
Ghana: “We Shall Score” by Cj Biggerman & Big Ivy
Haiti: “Ann Ale” by Prophète & Jessica Antoine
Iran: “Iran Football Song: World Cup Anthem Of Iran National Football Team” by Kimiagar
Australia supporters react while watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between the United States and Australia. NurPhoto via Getty ImagesIraq: “Aja El Iraq” by Mahmoud Al Turki
Ivory Coast: “Coup du marteau” by Tam Sir
Japan: “Ao No Hokori” by Football Poet
Jordan: “Al Nashama” by RedOne, Al Salman & Yara Mustafa
Mexico: “La Negra” by La Hija del Mariachi
Morocco: “Dima Maghrib” by Maher Zain
Netherlands: “Wij houden van oranje” by André Hazes
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New Zealand: “Slice of Heaven” by Dave Dobbyn
Norway: “Vi er Norge” by JORN
Panama: “Sube la marea (Remix)” by Los Gaitanes
Paraguay: “Albirockja” by Rolando Chaparro
Portugal: “A Minha Casinha” by Xutos & Pontapés
Qatar: “Freed From Desire” by Gala
Saudi Arabia: “Green Falcons” by Ayed Youssef
Scotland: “I’m going to Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers and “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” by Baccara.
Senegal: “Teranga Rek” by Football Poet
South Africa: “THIS IS BAFANA” by Shabz
Players of England celebrate with fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia. FIFA via Getty ImagesSouth Korea: “JUMP” by BLACKPINK
Spain: “Once Corazones” by DPG
Sweden: “När vi gräver guld i USA” by Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt.
Switzerland: “Freed From Desire” by Gala
Tunisia: “Sidi Mansour” by Saber Rebaï
Turkey: “Çalhanoglu Çalhanoglu” by Abul Media Production
United States: “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, “WIN” by J-Rock, “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco, and “Country Roads” by John Denver.
Uzbekistan: “Olg’a O’zbekiston” by Jahon Sari
Uruguay: “Cielo de un solo color” by No Te Va a Gustar
Editor’s Note: This unofficial list will continue to be updated throughout the tournament.
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