Sounds of Glory: A World Cup music retrospective
The FIFA World Cup is more than a sporting event, it is a global cultural celebration that unites people across all borders, languages and political divisions. Every four years, for a few weeks, the world speaks a common language. At the heart of the tournament are the iconic songs that capture the spirit of each World Cup.
Despite the inauguration of the first World Cup in 1930, world cup songs were not a part of the tournament’s identity until much later in the 1962 tournament with the release of“El Rock del Mundial” by Los Ramblers. The first officially recognized anthem arrived in the 1990 FIFA World Cup with the release of “Un’estate italiana” by Edoardo Bennato & Gianna Nannini, kickstarting a tradition that would eventually become a worldwide phenomenon. “La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)” by Ricky Martin in 1998 set a new standard for future anthems by captivating the audience with its infectious positive energy, heavy Latin Pop influences, and stadium-ready chorus.
World cup music cannot be addressed without mentioning Shakira. Her undisputable influence is evident through her 2010 anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” which remains the most viewed World Cup song on YouTube till this date. While FIFA officially designates an anthem for each tournament, unofficial songs such as “Wavin’ Flag” by K’NAAN have left a great cultural impact through evoking a deep emotional response among the audience, securing a lasting place in the collective memory of fans around the world.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has assembled an entire World Cup album instead of just one official anthem, featuring global stars such as Shakira and LISA alongside digital creators like IShowSpeed, making it one of their most ambitious ventures so far. This is a new milestone for world cup music that reflects the changing nature of contemporary music and evolution of the World Cup’s musical legacy.
