Jul 9: World Cup Playlists #3 - Country choices

This Reuters article explained the background to the musical choices we are hearing from each venue and host city.

It explains that each team chooses a tune for when their line-ups are announced, and when they score a goal.

Argentina, for instance, have chosen Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' "El Matador" (literally, "the ​killer") as their warm-up and goal song. This relates to dictatorships in the 1970s.

The track, with its chorus of "Matador! Matador!" may sound like it's celebrating the deadly goal skills of Lionel Messi.

The Ghanaian duo DopeNation's irresistible 2025 dance track "Kakalika" is both the signature and goal tune for Ghana. This is intended to embrace diversity and encourage listeners to enjoy themselves.

Daft Punk's "One ​More Time" plays when Kylian Mbappé scores...

Australia go back to the 80s for their tune...

Mexico went for Mariachi bands. South Korea had an easy job with K-Pop tunes from BTS and Blackpink (as described by Carl Lee in a guest post).

The USA had the good taste to adopt some John Denver...

More to come....