Football fans and music are seemingly a match made in heaven. With so many chants coming from well-known songs – just insert your team name and hum along to ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’, ‘When the Saints go Marching In’, and ‘You are my Sunshine’ – each club has a few favourite melodies and adapts them for their own use. When it comes to international competition, however, the stakes are even higher. Since 1990, FIFA has adopted or endorsed an official soundtrack for each World Cup – but it is also the unofficial songs released around each tournament that storm up the charts and are shouted through the streets each time England plays. What is the perfect recipe, though, for both chart-topping success as well as football fan appeal?

Maybe it’s best to start with arguably the most well-known tune, given that even those only remotely interested in sport will recognise the phrase ‘It’s coming home’. Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds’ hit ‘Three Lions’ was released for the Euros of 1996 that England hosted, but has experienced a resurgence in recent years following England’s decent performances in the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. Many have suggested that the ‘30 years of hurt’ actually came to an end this year when the Lionesses, the English women’s team, won the Euros in front of a packed-out Wembley crowd, and hence the song should be retired. It’s hard to see, though, how this song could ever fade away, as it has become so deeply entrenched in English football culture.

Another song from decades gone by that continues to dominate the World Cup music scene involves a celebrated rap from ex-England international John Barnes – New Order’s 1990 hit ‘World in Motion’ has also had a strong afterlife since its release, much like ‘Three Lions’. Perhaps in recent times most famous for featuring on British TV, it continues to strike a chord in the smash hit sitcom, Gavin and Stacey, when Gavin, Smithy, Pam, and Mick all perform the rap spontaneously as a greeting to one another. Last year during the Euros, Barnes appeared onstage at Croydon’s Boxpark and performed his rap to the delight of fans. Rousing confidence and support for England, as well as the rap lyrics full of tactical genius (and cliché), it’s easy to see why fans have taken it to heart. 

In terms of the official FIFA tracks, Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ for the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa has, also, transcended the sport. Fundamentally a dance track, it incorporates not only the best of Shakira’s sound but also combines Cameroonian musical and linguistic tradition. In a completely different way, Fat Les’ unofficial track of 1998, ‘Vindaloo’, is now, too, considered legendary, and lends itself perfectly to being sung in a crowd setting. The distinct lack of nuanced lyrics, unlike other examples, means that vast swathes of supporters in stadiums can easily latch on to the tune without too much effort. 
A personal favourite – and the song that I think nails the balance between musical appeal and stirring sporting anthem – has to be ‘Shout’, also released in 2010 ahead of the World Cup that year. Featuring James Corden of Gavin and Stacey fame, and rapper Dizzee Rascal, the updated version of the original number from legendary 80s band Tears for Fears was fresh, catchy, and optimistic. The strong chanting throughout the song sets it up to be

belted by the masses, and Dizzee Rascal’s rap brilliantly incorporates the names of players, stressing ‘We need Rooney in tip-top condition/Aaron Lennon down the wing like he’s on a mission’. Still perhaps the most relatable line for fans of the men’s team, however, is ‘Don’t wanna see you slip past/Think about the future/Surely it’s the right time/I wanna see you win it in my lifetime.’

This year, FIFA’s official soundtrack for the Qatar World Cup features 3 different songs, with the central single ‘Hayya Hayya’ (‘Better Together’) released in April this year. Aside from this track, Budweiser’s punt at a tune for the tournament sees US rapper Lil Baby collaborate with Tears for Fears on ‘The World Is Yours To Take’. Who knows what song will define this tournament in years to come – let’s all hope that this could be the chance to see it come home, and 2022 will be the ‘once in our lifetimes’ that ‘Shout’ so brilliantly hopes for.