The best songs in the history of the World Cups

Last update 7 June, 2026 by Alberto Llopis

The best songs in the history of the World Cups are part of the sentimental memory of football. The best songs in the history of the World Cup are not just a list of catchy songs. They are memories: a final, a celebration, a pet, an entire summer or a generation discovering football with a chorus in the background.

This review includes official songs from the FIFA World Cup, official anthems, soundtrack themes and promotional songs that ended up forming part of the collective memory of the tournament. The list is updated as of 5 June 2026 e incluye Dai Dai, la canción oficial de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026.

Las mejores canciones de la historia de los Mundiales de fútbol

1. Dai Dai (2026)

Shakira y Burna Boy. Canción oficial de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026.

La canción del Mundial actual abre el repaso porque marca el arranque musical de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026. FIFA presentó Dai Dai como canción oficial del torneo, con Shakira regresando al territorio mundialista y Burna Boy aportando el pulso afrobeats. Es una apuesta muy global para un Mundial que se juega en 3 países y con 48 selections.

2. Car Parking (This Time for Africa) (2010)

Shakira feat. Freshlyground. Canción oficial de Sudáfrica 2010.

Para muchos es la canción mundialista definitiva. Waka Waka unió pop, African celebration and choreography recognizable in any corner of the planet. South Africa 2010 needed a soundtrack with its own identity and Shakira turned it into a phenomenon that survived the tournament.

3. The Cup of Life (1998)

Ricky Martin. Theme associated with the World Cup in France 1998.

Before Waka Waka, The great Latin explosion in the World Cup was The Cup of Life. Ricky Martin puso and Francia 1998 a stadium chorus, an ending energy and staging that helped turn the song into a global classic.

4. An Italian summer (1990)

Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato. anthem of italy 1990.

Italia 1990 left an unforgettable aesthetic and also a song that still sounds like an old World Cup, summer nights and football with the aura of legend. An Italian estate does not have the commercial explosion of modern hymns, but it retains a huge emotional charge.

5. Wavin’ Flag (2010)

K'naan. Coca-Cola's World Cup anthem for South Africa 2010.

It was not the official main song of FIFA, but it's impossible to separate wavin’ World Cup Flag 2010. Your mix of hope, street and celebration made it one of the songs most remembered by fans during that summer.

6. Dreamers (2022)

Jung Kook feat. Fahad Al Kubaisi. Qatar Official Soundtrack 2022.

Qatar 2022 had several songs on its official soundtrack, but Dreamers was the one that best connected with the ceremony and with the global impact of the tournament. Jung Kook's presence multiplied its reach and the official FIFA video reinforced its status as the central theme of that edition.

7. Live It Up (2018)

Nicky Jam feat. Will Smith and Era Istrefi. Official song of Russia 2018.

Russia 2018 searched for a direct song, urban and very oriented to global consumption. Live It Up juntó a Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi in a song designed to be played in previews, summaries and celebrations.

8. We Are One (Be Ola) (2014)

Pitbull feat. Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte. Official song of Brazil 2014.

Brazil 2014 I had very high musical expectations. We Are One was not accepted by everyone with the same enthusiasm, but its status as an official song, Her names and her constant presence during the tournament have kept her in the World Cup memory..

9. Hayya Hayya (Better Together) (2022)

Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha. Qatar Official Soundtrack 2022.

Hayya Hayya was one of the first great musical advertisements in Qatar 2022. FIFA opted for an international mix of pop, R&B and global sounds to present a World Cup that wanted to sell itself as a meeting point between cultures.

10. The Time of Our Lives (2006)

Il Divo feat. Toni Braxton. official song of germany 2006.

Germany 2006 He chose a more solemn than festive path. The Time of Our Lives is a big event ballad, with operatic voices and the emotional weight of a ceremony. It's not the most coreable, but it is one of the most elegant in the history of the World Cups.

11. La La La (Brazil 2014) (2014)

Shakira feat. Carlinhos Brown. World Cup theme Brazil World Cup summary 2014.

Shakira once again entered the World Cup imagination with La La La, a song that many fans remember as much or more than the official theme of 2014. The video, with football nods and Brazilian aesthetics, helped sustain his popularity.

12. Give a way (We Will Find a Way) (2014)

Santana, Wyclef, Avicii and Alexandre Pires. Official anthem of Brazil 2014.

Brazil 2014 also had this official anthem with a guitar mix, electronics and Brazilian flavor. Giving a Way reunited with Santana, Wyclef, Avicii and Alexandre Pires in a piece less popular than others on the list, but very representative of that World Cup.

What song is the best in the history of the World Cups?

If we talk about global impact, Waka Waka is still above the rest. If we talk about nineties epic, The Cup of Life and Italian Un'estate are eternal candidates. And if we look at the present, Dai Dai arrives with the advantage of recovering Shakira for a World Cup that will be historic due to its format, venues and number of teams.

World Cup music changes with each era, but the best songs from the World Cups have something in common: They not only accompany games, They also help remember how each tournament was experienced.

Official sources and videos

Sources consulted: official FIFA communication about Dai Dai and official videos published on FIFA channels, VEVO or music labels of the corresponding artists.