We can reflect back on previous tournaments and immediately remember the iconic song that got everyone on their feet during that year. Which is your favourite?
2010’s ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ celebrated the first time an African country had hosted the World Cup. Performed by Shakira, this catchy anthem has received billions of views on YouTube over the past 12 years, and both the song and the video highlights South African sounds and styles. You only have to hear the opening bars of this hit to remember that warm summer and the thrill of the 2010 World Cup.
We can’t discuss the biggest and best World Cup hits without celebrating ‘Three Lions’. Released in 1996 by Baddiel, Skinner and the Lightning Seeds, this nostalgic and triumphant banger is still as joyous now as it was all those years ago.
Even though England hadn’t seen a World Cup win since 1966, this hopeful yet humorous song illuminates the importance of being optimistic even after “thirty years of hurt”. The Britpop tones are now pretty nostalgic themselves, and the song is still a mainstay with ever-ambitious England fans.
While it might not immediately spring to mind, this 2014 smash from Pitbull, Claudia Leitte and Jennifer Lopez was the perfect way to capture the culture and vibrance of Brazil. ‘We Are One (Ola Ola)’ aimed to showcase how football brings the world together in joy and excitement, while also showing off the clothing, beach life, and dance that makes Brazil unique.
A dancehall hit in the early '80s, Arrow’s ‘Hot Hot Hot’ was not actually written for the iconic tournament that made it a global favourite. FIFA took on ‘Hot Hot Hot’ during 1986’s Mexico World Cup, and the Caribbean beats and cheerful lyrics perfectly captured the jubilant mood in the air.
It quickly became a stadium standard and became the first World Cup song to be considered truly great.
This fun and uplifting 1998 hit, performed by Ricky Martin, remains one of the most enjoyable World Cup songs ever. This song combined football with musical passion, and it served as an incredible anthem for France '98. Filled with energy and a ‘live for today’ message, it still brings the party vibes even now.
Some are weird, some are wonderful, but all of them are memorable. These World Cup songs have stood the test of time and captured a moment in sporting history. What might the World Cup anthems of the future be? We can’t wait to find out!
