As the feverish thrill of the 2026 FIFA World Cup fades into the warm summer air, it is naturally accompanied by the desire to recapture the spectrum of feelings that only sport can create. From the vomit-inducing adrenaline of watching one’s team defend a one-goal lead, to the seemingly inescapable despair of a late equalizer, or the ebb between dread and euphoria as players step up in a penalty shootout, music can remind one of a stadium’s magic if just for a moment.
The longstanding ties of football in particular with a variety of musical subcultures makes it a particularly powerful avenue to celebrate the emergence of new stars, bid farewell to old ones and feel at one with the plethora of fans from all walks of life. These four songs aim to ensnare just a little bit of what defines the World Cup, along with the spirit that made this year’s edition unforgettable.
“Wonderwall” by Oasis
Though their fame has transcended the United Kingdom, Oasis still hold a special significance within European football culture fueled by their middle-class roots and founders Liam and Noel Gallagher’s devotion to Manchester City Football Club. Their 1995 anthem “Wonderwall” has found a distinct cross-cultural appeal in no small part due to its association with the English national football team. Its message of hope is brought forth through its simple yet effective lyricism in lines such as “And all the roads we have to walk are winding / And all the lights that lead us there are blinding.”
The relatable message blends with singer Liam Gallagher’s thickly accented voice that, in spite of his less than perfect voice, melds with the steady drums, acoustic guitar and melancholic strings to produce the electric stadium chants and sing-alongs that followed this summer’s English squad. The underlying theme of finding a symbol of salvation is akin to the fanatic devotion that fans channel into their teams, making it an ode to the mettle of powerhouses like England but also to the swashbuckling grit of underdogs like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Egypt.
“Innuendo” by Queen
Tournament football is nothing if not volatile and unpredictable, and perhaps no World Cup yet has proven that statement true more so than this one. With no shortage of late goals, dramatic finishes and iconic moments from teams like Argentina and Morocco, Queen’s “Innuendo” from their final album during singer Freddie Mercury’s lifetime seems to be an appropriate companion piece.
The grim and thunderous drum echoing in the song’s intro is quickly joined by similarly gloomy synthesizers and guitar strums before flowing into a more traditional rock soundscape. The change is accompanied by Mercury’s grandiose vocals as he paints a dramatic image through lyrics such as “While there’s a wind and the stars and the rainbow / ‘Til the mountains crumble into the plain.” The song then suddenly fades into a quieter acoustic section lulling the listener into a sense of calm before exploding into action with a racing strum of guitars and an electric solo from guitarist Brian May. The song closes similarly to how it began, as Mercury roars “whatever will be, will be.”
The journey that the song takes listeners on is an allegorical tale about the kind of football that helped teams like Spain and Norway capture the hearts of new fans reeled in by this World Cup. Right from the nervous and dark tones of the intro reflecting the atmosphere of a kick-off to the sudden injection of flair and orchestration before the grandeur of the ending, this track is virtually a football match compressed into a six-minute epic. The underlying sense of joy and operatic spark that ties the song’s phases together only makes it more suitable for the spectacle that was seen so often at this tournament.
“She Bangs” by Ricky Martin
The energy in the host nations of a World Cup are crucial to setting the mood for the competition, and few describe the rush that North American football experienced over this tournament better than “She Bangs.” Though the song itself describes a fiery romance of Martin’s, the infectiously rhythmic drums and salsa undertones contain the same fire that the three hosts brought.
Mexico’s titanic struggle with England in the gruelling high-altitude of Mexico City, Canada’s late theatrics versus South Africa or the United States’ unexpectedly dominant run in the earlier stages left each country with something to be proud of despite the heartbreaking ends they all faced. The same flair and charisma that laces Martin’s lilting vocals was brought onto the pitch by every one of the host nations, and the line “I go crazy ‘cause she looks like a flower / But she stings like a bee” perfectly describes the journey that fans of the hosting trio underwent in the stands.
“BAILE INoLVIDABLE” by Bad Bunny
Argentina and Spain’s showdown in the final that capped off this World Cup’s 39 days of drama might be fresh in audience's minds for the scrappy affair it became. Still, its grittiness should not take away from the effortless precision and lazily brilliant execution that Spain played with. Nor should it distract from the overarching narrative behind this final — one that this song, which translates to “Unforgettable Dance,” is near perfectly tailored to.
As one aging generation of entertainers led by Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo disappears behind the curtain after what is surely their last dance, a new wave spearheaded by emerging stars like Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland waltzes on to make the stage their own for the foreseeable future. The track’s triumphant horns, precise vocals and blend of salsa influences with a more modern sound palette lends itself both to the technical perfection of the football that was displayed, as well as the passing-of-the-torch moment that Spain’s victory felt like.
The chorus’ close of “Tú me enseñaste a querer / Me enseñaste a bailar,” meaning “You taught me how to love / You taught me how to dance,” celebrates the iconic moments and memories that this World Cup produced, while simultaneously acting as a bittersweet ode to a chapter of the sport now closed. The four-year long cycle preceding each World Cup culminated in this one match that, like the song, delivered an “Unforgettable Dance.”
Though the magic of iconic sporting moments can never truly be recreated as they happened in real time, these songs when held together aim to recall a small piece of what will define these memories going forward. This diverse selection of genres and eras are tied together by their encapsulation of both the thrill and pain of football, while also being celebrations of individuality, flair and, perhaps most significantly, the hope and unity that sport brings.
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