Is it a song that reflects the identity of the host nations? A multilingual, genre-blending global production designed for mass appeal? Or does its success depend simply on an irresistible chorus built for stadium chants?
The answer, according to artists who have shaped past and present World Cup soundtracks, may be that it is all of the above — but only when balanced with emotion, energy, and universality.
To explore this, The Associated Press spoke with several performers tied to World Cup music history, including Shakira, J Balvin, Wyclef Jean, and Nora Fatehi, alongside collaborators involved in the official 2026 soundtrack, including Burna Boy.
Shakira on Building Global Energy Through Rhythm
Colombian superstar Shakira, who co-wrote and performed the iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” with Freshlyground, believes the secret lies in emotional universality paired with rhythm-driven energy.
Reflecting on the responsibility of creating a World Cup anthem, she said:
“Fútbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life,” she told The Associated Press. “The big responsibility of making a World Cup song is that you’ve got to make a song that represents people’s feelings, emotions, and passion.”
For Shakira, global appeal is not accidental but carefully constructed.
“It has to be global. It has to encompass so many cultures and represent so many in one tune,” she added. “That, in a way, has helped me craft those songs in the past.”
Yet beyond cultural fusion, she argues that the sonic identity of a World Cup anthem is non-negotiable.
“I feel like a good World Cup song needs to definitely have rhythm. It has to be rhythmic. It has to make people want to dance. And it has to be an anthem as well… sing out loud at the top of their lungs. That’s a must.”
J Balvin: The Power of the Hook in a Short-Attention World
For Colombian artist J Balvin, who features on Coca-Cola’s official 2026 World Cup song — a reimagined version of Van Halen’s “Jump” alongside Travis Barker, Amber Mark, and Steve Vai — immediacy is everything.
He argues that modern audiences require instant engagement.
“People’s attention (span) is only like five seconds. And that’s the reality,” he said. “You’ve just got to do it with all the love.”
But when it comes specifically to World Cup music, Balvin says the expectations shift toward intensity and emotional alignment with the sport itself.
“Fútbol brings us together, with all different highs and lows… All these different emotions happen in one game,” he explained. “The song should have the same energy.”
Nora Fatehi: Anthems Must Sound Like Victory
Canadian-Moroccan performer Nora Fatehi, featured on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup album with “Siir, Siir”, brings a more emotional framing to the discussion.
For her, rhythm alone is not enough — the music must evoke aspiration and triumph.
“It needs a great beat because we’re here to dance and we need to celebrate,” she said.
But she adds a defining emotional layer:
“You feel like you’re winning, or you’re gonna win, or you won. That’s the emotion it needs to evoke.”
She described the intention behind her track “Siir, Siir” as deliberately motivational.
“The minute you hear that song, it should make you feel like you’ve conquered the world… It should be aspirational. That’s what it should feel like.”
Wyclef Jean: Stadium Energy and Universal Vibration
Veteran artist Wyclef Jean, who co-created the 2014 World Cup anthem “Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)” alongside Santana, Avicii, and Alexandre Pires, focuses on physical energy and crowd impact.
“The topline? It has to electrify the stadium,” he said. “You literally have to feel the entire stadium shaking.”
He also rejects the idea that global representation requires multiple international features, arguing instead that emotional resonance matters more than geography.
“People gravitate towards culture… before it has a language, it has an energy and a vibe. It has absolutely nothing to do with a language,” he explained.
For Jean, the most important ingredient is a memorable hook that unites audiences.
“A good hook, a strong melody that anyone can sing along to — that’s what’s key.”
Yet he also emphasizes that successful anthems often carry a deeper message of unity and resilience.
“Resilience is a very important word,” he said, describing his 2014 song as a message of hope aimed at young people worldwide. “If you keep fighting the good fight, you’re gonna get to that stadium. And ain’t nobody gonna stop you.”
The Formula: No Single Answer, Only Shared Ingredients
Taken together, the perspectives reveal no single formula for a perfect World Cup anthem — but a consistent set of ingredients emerges across decades of global hits.
Rhythm that compels movement. Hooks that invite mass singalongs. Emotional energy that mirrors the highs and lows of football. And above all, a sense of unity that transcends language and borders.
Whether delivered through Afrobeats, Latin pop, EDM, or genre fusion, the World Cup anthem ultimately succeeds when it captures what the tournament itself represents: a global stage where identity, competition, and culture converge into one shared moment. :::