During the 2026 World Cup, fans frequently heard Gala's "Freed From Desire" playing after goals or during team celebrations. The American band The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" became an anthem in many stadiums, while AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" was played as players entered the field or to energize the crowd.

According to Reuters, these songs are part of a content script prepared by FIFA in advance. Music is integrated throughout the match, from the announcement of starting lineups and pre-match warm-ups to after each goal, during halftime, and when the winning team celebrates after the final whistle.

A representative from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) stated that organizers selected over 750 songs for this year's tournament. A Stadium Entertainment Team collaborates with national football federations to create unique playlists for each national team, blending globally recognized hits with songs reflecting national identity. Some songs, initially popular only domestically, gained international recognition through their appearance at the World Cup, contributing to the diverse atmosphere of the first tournament featuring 48 teams.

* Gala's "Freed From Desire"

On Reuters, Andrew Lawn, author of "We Lose Every Week: The History of Football Chanting," noted that fan-favorite tunes often have simple, memorable, and singable structures. More importantly, they become associated with memorable moments on the pitch.

Among these, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' "El Matador" is used for the Argentina national team during warm-ups and after each goal. In Spanish, "matador" refers to a bullfighter who defeats a bull, while in football, it denotes a "penalty box assassin"—a player who scores crucial goals. When the chorus "Matador! Matador!" echoes in the stadium, many fans associate it with Lionel Messi's talent.

Ghana features DopeNation's "Kakalika" as its identifying track. This song blends various musical styles and languages to celebrate cultural diversity. Mexico uses three works by Mariachi Vargas, while South Korea brings Kpop hits from Blackpink and BTS. When the France national team scores, Daft Punk's "One More Time" plays, while Australia and Belgium use Men At Work's "Down Under" and Technotronic's "Pump Up the Jam," respectively, to energize the atmosphere.

"Once a song becomes a symbol of victory or a special moment, fans tend to connect emotionally with that tune. Thus, the song is passed down from one generation of supporters to the next," Lawn said.

England players sang with home fans after a 3-2 victory over Mexico in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup at Azteca Stadium, Mexico, on 5/7. *AP*

Beyond the playlists curated by organizers, many tunes become symbols created by fans in the stands. For the England national team, Oasis' "Wonderwall" began to be sung by supporters after their 4-2 victory over Croatia in the opening match and accompanied the team throughout the season. Captain Harry Kane called it one of his most memorable experiences playing for the national team: "We always have a connection with the fans. When the whole stadium sings 'Wonderwall' and everyone knows every word, that's a special moment."

In the United States, John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" replaced the slogan "USA! USA!", which was deemed monotonous. However, Andrew Lawn believes that American football cheering culture is still nascent and needs more time to form traditions. "If 30 years from now American fans are still singing 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' in the stands, then it will truly be a part of American football identity," he stated.

Technician notes that music and sports, seemingly separate, offer a rich emotional experience when they intertwine, creating a space for fans to release pressure and express identity. When tens of thousands of people sing together, the stadium becomes a place where players and supporters share emotions. Although difficult to quantify, experts believe this atmosphere elevates excitement, strengthens confidence, and empowers players at crucial moments in a match.

Cat Tien (according to Reuters, Technician)