Several
sets of fans at the tournament have co-opted classic tunes as their own
football anthems
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Music has always been a significant part of
sports, creating an atmosphere that unites fans and players alike. This summer,
the 2026 World Cup, held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has
taken this tradition to a new level. Fans aren't just checking out the best sports betting sites
to find out which teams to back, but are also searching for the right
soundtrack to their tournament.
Goal songs are becoming increasingly popular
in the world of football. Clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace
currently use them. During the first full round of group stage fixtures, 40 of
the 48 nations scored at least one goal, meaning all sides have had their
dedicated goal song played at least once.
National teams have selected specific songs to
be played after every goal scored, creating a unique playlist for the 2026 FIFA
World Cup.
England
and their darts-inspired World Cup song
England supporters, particularly those with a
fondness for darts, had the pleasure of hearing Planet
Funk's ‘Chase the Sun’ four times during England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in
their opening match.
This song, regularly played during major darts
events such as the World Darts Championships and Premier League Darts, was
chosen by the Football Association as England's dedicated goal song.
The tune was quickly embraced by England fans
both in Dallas and back home, with sections of the crowd singing along during
parts of the game, even when it was not being played.
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Which
songs did other national teams choose?
Scotland opted for 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'
by The Proclaimers, while Australia chose AC/DC's ‘Thunderstruck’. France
selected Daft Punk's ‘One More Time’, and co-hosts the United States went for a
remixed version of ‘Free Bird’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Germany and Curacao fans heard ‘Major Tom‘ by
Peter Schilling, a song inspired by David Bowie, seven times during Germany’s
thrashing of the debutants.
The
selection process and rules
The process of song selection is
straightforward. Football associations from each of the 48 nations were asked
to select two songs. One is played every time they score a goal, and the other
is played at the conclusion of a match if the team wins.
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For instance, England fans got to sing along
to ‘Three Lions’ by David Baddiel, Frank Skinner, and The Lightning Seeds after
beating Croatia, while clips of the squad singing ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis back to
the fans have also gone viral.
Surprise
picks
While many song choices made sense given their
popularity in their home nations, there were some unusual selections. England
fans singing along to the "Oi, Oi, Oi" classic, which is synonymous
with watching darts legends at the oche doesn't come as a
shock, while some of these other choices definitely do.
Austria chose ‘Maria (I Like It Loud)’ by
dance artist Scooter as their goal song. The Czech Republic selected a version
of the popular football fan anthem 'Seven Nation Army' originally made famous
by The White Stripes. Their modernised and more upbeat selection was released
by Mickie Krause. Switzerland surprised many by picking Gala's ‘Freed From
Desire‘.
The 2026 World Cup has added a new dimension
to the game with the introduction of goal songs. This unique blend of music and
sport has not only enhanced the atmosphere but also provided a unique way for
fans to connect with their teams.
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Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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