Every four years, the world focuses on a single event that makes fans beat to the rhythm of the ball: the FIFA World Cup, a celebration that combines music and passion, with fans united by the celebration of football. In 2026, three North American countries will host the tournament, so the announcement of the official song that will mark this edition is expected.
Prior to this, various musical proposals have emerged that evoke the World Cup atmosphere, especially from Mexico, with artists such as Jelly Roll and Carín León, as well as Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules. However, over the years there have been several songs that have transcended and have become true football anthems, which remember the party experienced in each edition.
One of the artists who has taken this passion to a global level is Shakira, who has marked history with songs such as “Waka Waka” for South Africa 2010 and “La La La” for Brazil 2014. Added to these are hits such as “We Are One” (2014), performed by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte, and “La Copa de la Vida”, by Ricky Martin in France 1998, considered some of the most remembered anthems of the World Cup.
Most remembered songs from the World Cup
The football event, which has been celebrated since 1930, has marked history not only in the sporting field, but also in the musical field. Prior to its twenty-third edition, which will be held between June 11 and July 19, a compilation of the songs that have transcended this event is presented.
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
One of the songs that has transcended not only the World Cup of its year, but also World Cup music, is “Waka Waka”, by the Colombian artist Shakira, who in 2010 made the world dance to the rhythm of the World Cup in South Africa.
This song of unity, brotherhood, healthy competitiveness and passion for football brought South Africa to the memory of the World Cup in its first celebration as a host, by including the South African group Freshlyground and combining striking rhythms.
“We Are One”
The song brought together artists Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte for the World Cup held in 2014 in Brazil. The combination of rhythms took this song to the list of most remembered World Cup songs, despite the controversy generated that year for including only an artist of Brazilian origin.
This anthem followed the line set by Shakira in the previous World Cup, by maintaining the spirit of unity. In addition, it was accompanied by another featured song from that edition: “La La La”, by the same artist.
The Cup of Life
Ricky Martin and his rhythm conquered the World Cup in 1998, when France hosted the tournament, thanks to “La Copa de la Vida”, a song that represented competitiveness between countries and the search for victory in a healthy way.
This song became so popular that it reached number 2 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and was performed at the finals of the tournament and at the 1999 Grammy Awards ceremony.
The Time of Our Lives
Il Divo and Toni Braxton also marked 2006 with one of the most representative songs of the World Cup, when they presented “The Time of Our Lives” at the edition held in Germany.
That year, the organizers opted for a ballad focused on passion and the feeling of togetherness, rather than competition. This approach marked a difference from other World Cup songs.
Italian un’estate
In the 1990s, Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini performed the World Cup song held in Italy, which was widely accepted for its characteristic style of the host country. Agencia EFE highlights that this anthem became a cult song in countries like Argentina and even reached high positions in English-speaking countries, where it was used for years in broadcasts and advertising related to sporting events.
The rock of the World Cup
One of the most important songs for FIFA is that of Los Ramblers, who in 1962 provided the soundtrack for the championship at the World Cup in Chile for the first time. This “rock and roll” style song exalts the celebration of football.
World Cup 2026
By 2026, Canada, the United States and Mexico will host the tournament, a celebration that has already begun to generate some songs that evoke the football atmosphere.
Among them are “Lighter”, performed by Jelly Roll and Carín León; “Por Ella”, by Belinda and Los Ángeles Azules; and “Echo”, by Daddy Yankee and Senshee, who have released songs inspired by this celebration.
Despite this, FIFA has not officially presented what the official song or anthem will be for this celebration.