Jul 20: What was that?

Football lost out here...

Imagine being in the stadium and watching it on a screen... and muppets... and two blokes in track suits... and lip-synching...

Jul 16: World Cup playlists #10: Country choices T - Z

The New York Times released a list of the country choices of music from the World Cup.

Here are a few samples:

Tunisia

Signature song: Sidi Mansour (DJ Nabil)

Warm-up: TIRI TIRI (JenJoon)

Goal music: Sidi Mansour (DJ Nabil)

Post-match: Grinta (Si Lemhaf)

Turkey

Signature song: Ceddin Deden (Mehter); Bir Oluruz Yolunda (Tarkan)

Warm-up: Adımız (Murda & Mero); Turkiyem (Mustafa Yıldızdogan); Plevne (CVRTOON)

Goal music: Bir Oluruz Yolunda (Tarkan)

Post-match: Memleketim (Ayten Alpman)

USA

Signature song: Won’t Stop (Safari Riot Trailer Remix)

Warm-up: TV Off (Kendrick Lamar); X Gon’ Give It to Ya (DMX); Ruff Ryders’ Anthem (DMX)

Goal music: Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd); Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)

Post-match: The Show Goes On (Lupe Fiasco); Win (Jay Rock)

Uruguay

Signature song: Cielo de un Solo Color (No Te Va Gustar); Mi Seleccion (Jotape)

Warm-up: Descolgando el Cielo (Enzo y la Sub 21); Sangre Charrua (Catherine Vergnes & Vanesa Britos)

Goal music: Cielo de un Solo Color (No Te Va Gustar)

Post-match: Cielo de un Solo Color (No Te Va Gustar)

Uzbekistan

Signature song: Ulugimsan (Sevara Nazarkhan); Mendirman (Ozodbek Nazarbekov)

Warm-up: Mendirman (Ozodbek Nazarbekov); O’zbegim (Shoxrux)

Goal music: Yor Yor (King Macarella & Aleesher); O’zbegim (Shoxrux)

Post-match: Topnitep (DJ Piligrim)

Jul 15: World Cup playlists #9: Country choices Q - S

The New York Times released a list of the country choices of music from the World Cup.

Here are a few samples:

Qatar

Signature song: Elsaab Qatar Signature Track

Warm-up: FOOG FOOG

Goal music: Ana Say Aha

Post-match: Hena Maak (Al Majmouaa)

Saudi Arabia

Signature song: Medley (Naghm Algharbia); Watani Al Habib (Nationalisms)

Warm-up: Allah Ya Montakhabna (Talal Salamah); Foq Ham El Sahab (Mohammad Abdu); Medley (Naghm Algharbia); Ya Salami Alaykom (Rashed Al Majid)

Goal music: Foq Ham El Sahab (Mohammad Abdu); Medley (Naghm Algharbia); Ya Salami Alaykom (Rashed Al Majid)

Post-match: Allah Ya Montakhabna (Talal Salamah); Watani Al Habib (Nationalisms)

Scotland

Signature song: Loch Lomond (Runrig); Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (Baccara)

Warm-up: Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes); Freed From Desire (Gala); Loch Lomond (Runrig)

Goal music: 500 Miles (The Proclaimers); Bits + Pieces (Artemesia)

Post-match: Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (Baccara); We’ll Be Coming (Tartan Specials)

Senegal

Signature song: Foula ak Fayda (Elage Diouf); Ay Woma Senegal (Assiko Band PA)

Warm-up: Senegal LA (Eljaz)

Goal music: Navetane (Elage Diouf)

Post-match: Ni Ngi And Ak Yeen (Youssou N’Dour)

South Africa (Bafana Bafana)

Signature song: Shibobo (TKZee ft. Benni McCarthy)

Warm-up: Adiwele (Young Stunna)

Goal music: Shibobo (TKZee ft. Benni McCarthy)

Post-match: Burn Out (Sipho Mabuse)

South Korea

Signature song: Burning Up (FIRE) (BTS); Oh! (Pilseung)

Warm-up: GO (BLACKPINK); For Victory (Trans Fiction); REBEL HEART (IVE)

Goal music: JUMP (BLACKPINK)

Post-match: Golden (KPop Demon Hunters); Time of Our Life (DAY6)

Spain

Signature song: Despecha (Rosalia) - she has featured on the blog a number of times now... a great talent.

Warm-up: La Morocha (Luck Ra & BM); Superestrella (Aitana); Cafe con Ron (Bad Bunny); You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire (Jonathan Chiocchio)

Goal music: La Graciosa (Quevedo & Elvis Crespo); Despecha (Rosalia)

Post-match: Despecha (Rosalia); Superestrella (Aitana)

Sweden

Signature song: Leva for alltid (Thomas Stenström)

Goal music: Leva for alltid (Thomas Stenström)

Post-match: Levels (Avicii)

Switzerland - who have made it to the quarter finals.

Signature song: Bring en hei (Baschi)

Warm-up: Carnaval de Paris (Dario G)

Goal music: Freed From Desire (Gala)

Post-match: Freed From Desire (Gala); Celebration (Kool & The Gang)

The remaining teams' choices will be shared tomorrow.

Jul 14: World Cup playlists #8: Country choices M - P

The New York Times released a list of the country choices of music from the World Cup.

Here are a few samples:

Mexico

Signature song: El Rey (Vicente Fernández); Un Solo Corazon (Grupo Frontera); Cielito Lindo (Mariachi Vargas); Esto es Mexico (CORAY)

Warm-up: El Sonidito (Hechizeros); La Chona (Los Tucanes de Tijuana); Esto es Mexico (CORAY)

Goal music: El Son de la Negra (Mariachi Vargas)

Post-match: El Rey (Vicente Fernandez); El Mariachi Loco (Mariachi Vargas); Mexico en la Piel (Luis Miguel)

Morocco

Signature song: Dirou Niyya (RedOne); Mgharba (Asma Lmnawar)

Warm-up: Maghribi Maghribi (RedOne)

Goal music: Dirou Niyya (Official Moroccan Fan Chant) (RedOne) 

Netherlands

Signature song: We’re All Gonna Make It (Jonna Fraser x $hirak)

Warm-up: Freed from Desire (Gala); Back Once Again (Stefane); Links Rechts (Snollebollekes); Still D.R.E. (feat. Snoop Dogg) (Dr. Dre)

Post-match: Wij Houden van Oranje (Andre Hazes); All the Stars (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)

New Zealand

Signature song: I AM (Stan Walker); Wandering Eye (Fat Freddy’s Drop)

Warm-up: Runnin’ (David Dallas); Aotearoa (feat. Ria Hall, Troy Kingi & Maisey Rika) (Stan Walker); Narco (Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet)

Goal music: Slice of Heaven (Dave Dobbyn)

Post-match: Fade Away (Che- Fu); Sun Goes Down (Nesian Mystik)

Norway

Signature song: Alt for Norge (Drillos) - with English translation.

Warm-up: Bønda 2026 (Racer); Levva Livet (Age Aleksandersen); Optimist (Jahn Teigen)

Goal music: Bønda 2026 (Racer)

Post-match: Alt for Norge (Drillos); Henda mot Himmelen (Madelene)

Panama

Signature song: Patria (Ruben Blades)

Warm-up: Ya Ya (Boza); Sube la Marea Remix (Gaitanes)

Goal music: La Papuja (Victorio Vergara); Papa Chan (Jingle Marea Roja)

Post-match: Patria (Ruben Blades)

Paraguay

Signature song: Soy Albirrojo (Los Albirrojos)

Warm-up: El Sapukai (Tierra Adentro)

Goal music: Albirroja Campeon (Rolando Chaparro)

Post-match: Vamos Albirro (Sangre Albirrojo); Fiesta Patronal (Tierra Adentro)

Portugal

Signature song: Tuga ou Nada (Sir Scratch, Gson, Bispo & Papillon)

Warm-up: Tuga ou Nada (Sir Scratch, Gson, Bispo & Papillon); De Portugal Eu Sou (Karetus)

Goal music: Tuga ou Nada (Sir Scratch, Gson, Bispo & Papillon)

Post-match: A Minha Casinha (Xutos & Pontapes)

Jul 13: World Cup playlists #7: Country choices H - J

The New York Times released a list of the country choices of music from the World Cup.

Here are a few samples: 

Haiti

Signature song: Toup Pou Yo (Barikad Crew); Dekole (J Perry feat. Shabba Izolan)

Warm-up: Ke M Pa Sote (Boukman Eksperyans); Pepeye (Boukman Eksperyans)

Goal music: Alaso (Rockfam); Kool Non (King Posse)

Post-match: Lobey sou Lobèy (Team Lobey); 4 Kampe (Joe Dwet File)

Iran

Signature song: Teammelli (Parvaz Homay)

Lyrics of the national team anthem: 

O my soul, my soul, my body O my boundless love, my homeland In every dress, nation, and language O your eternity, my speech Promotions Iran, Iran Your eternal name We are lovers of your soil We are drunk on the wine of your vine Wherever your name is mentioned, We are soldiers of your pure soil Iran, Iran Your eternal name O the land of Rostam and the lions O the monument of the brave generation The eternal sun of the world The enduring name of Iran

Warm-up: Teammelli (Parvaz Homay)

Goal music: Teammelli (Parvaz Homay)

Post-match: Teammelli (Parvaz Homay)

Iraq

Signature song: Aash Al Iraq (Rahma Riad); El Basrah Deratkom (Hussam Alrassam); Nashhad An La (Nasrat Al Bader Salem); Annan Iraqi (Hamza Al Mhamadawi); Hassouni (Mohamed Al Mddlool); Iraqi Hala Ya Saab (Hussam Alrassam); Farht Shah (Hosam Kamel)

Japan

Signature song: Syouri No Emi Wo Kimi To (Ukasuka-G)

Goal music: Syouri No Emi Wo Kimi To (Ukasuka-G)

Post-match: KESHIKI (JI Blue, JO1 & INI)

Jordan

Signature song: Ennashama Official Tournament Song (JFA Music)

Warm-up: Hez Almalaab (Omar Alabdallat); Min Hon (165 Entertainment)

Goal music: Al Nashama (JFA Music)

Post-match: Al Nashama (JFA Music); Hena Al Orduniyeen (Omar Alabdallat); Watani Mix (Omar Alabdallat)

Jul 12: World Cup playlists #6: Country Choices E - G

The New York Times released a list of the country choices of music from the World Cup.

Here are a few samples:

Ecuador

Signature song: Quiero Amanecer Sonando (Papa Chango); Yo Naci Aqui (Juan Fernando Velasco)

Warm-up: Vamos Ecuador Siempre Contigo (Jose Victoria); La Tri (Jombriel, Javier Neira & Jotta)

Goal music: Si Se Puede (Damiano); Quiero Amanecer Sonando (Papa Chango)

Post-match: Vuelvo a Nacer en Ecuador (Javier Neira); Nuestro Juramento (Julio Jaramillo)

Egypt

Signature song: Ya Habibty Ya Masr (Shadya)

Warm-up: Ana Ebn Masr (Mahmoud El Esseily, Moustafa Hagag & Medhat Saleh); Shagaa Mn Albak; Ya Habebty Ya Masr (Shadya)

Goal music: Ya Masr Btemlyha Ezay (Bahaa Sultan); Wala W Amalouha El Regala (Hamada Helal)

Post-match: Matkhafoosh Ala Masr (Hussain Al Jassmi); Boshret Kheir (Hussain Al Jassmi)

England

Signature song: Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)

Warm-up: Vindaloo (Fat Les); Angels (Robbie Williams); With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles)

Goal music: Chase the Sun (Planet Funk)

Post-match: Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond); Three Lions (Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds)

France

Signature song: Emmenez-moi (Charles Aznavour); Le Chasseur (Michel Delpech)

Warm-up: Pile (Gospel Version) (Mauvais Djo); Melodrama (Jordan Patrol); D.A.N.C.E. (Justice)

Goal music: One More Time (Daft Punk)

Post-match: Freed From Desire (Gala); Magic in the Air (Magic System)

Germany

Signature song: Zeit, Dass Sich Was Dreht ($oho Bani, Herbert Grönemeyer & Ericson)

Warm-up: Kernkraft 400 (Zombie Nation)

Goal music: Major Tom (Peter Schilling)

Post-match: Tage wie diese (Die Toten Hosen); Der Zug hat keine Bremse (Mia Julia, Malle Anja & Lorenz Buffel)

Ghana

Signature song: Kakalika (DopeNation); Ntem Ntem (King Promise)

Warm-up: Ghana Black Stars (2006 World Cup) (Obaayaa Grace Ashly); Gidi Gidi (Fire) (Stonebwoy); STREET CROWN (African Dancehall) (Shatta Wale)

Goal music: Kakalika (DopeNation)

Post-match: Dem Confuse (Shatta Wale); Oofeets (Sarkodie & Prince Bright)

Jul 11: World Cup playlists #5: Country Choices C - D

 The New York Times released a list of the country choices of music from the World Cup.

Here are a few samples:

Cape (Cabo) Verde

Signature song: NOS ORA DJA TXIGA (Federacao Cabo Verdiana de Futebol)

Goal music: NOS ORA DJA TXIGA (Federacao Cabo Verdiana de Futebol)

Canada

Signature song: A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie v2 (King of My City); Wonderful (Travis Scott)

Warm-up: Born Winner (AP Dhillon); TRYNA WIN (NorthSideBenji, Boi-1da & Canada Soccer)

Goal music: I Dare You (Tasty)

Post-match: Headlines (Drake); Charger (feat. MC YOSHI, Mauvais djo & Kokosvoice) (TRIANGLE DES BERMUDES)

Colombia

Signature song: La Invitacion (Jorge Celedon)

Warm-up: Que Linda E’; Yo Te Aliento (La Barra Incondicional)

Goal music: El Ritmo Que Nos Une (Ryan Castro & SOG); Si, Si, Si (La Fiebre Amarilla)

Post-match: Mi Gente (J Balvin)

Côte d'Ivoire

Signature song: Fimbu (feat. Didi B & Tam Sir); Coup du Marteau (Tam Sir); C’est Dose (Serge Beynaud)

Goal music: Coup du Marteau (Tam Sir)

Post-match: Y’a Dieu Dedans (Paulo Chakal & Didi B)

Croatia

Signature song: Moja Domovina (Hrvatski Band Aid)

Warm-up: Moja Domovina (Hrvatski Band Aid)

Goal music: Svijet Voli Pobjednike (Colonia)

Post-match: Hrvatska Zastava (Ivan Mandic); Nije U Soldima Sve (Mladen Grdovic & Bepo Matesic)

Curacao

Signature song: Mama Wa (Jeon); Bon Tardi (Kiev & Qshans)

Warm-up: Mama Wa (Jeon); Si Senor (Raey); Chekeleke (Raey & Issairo); Caribe (Kilate Tesla, Ir Sais & Jeon)

Goal music: BlueWave (Jeon)

Czech Republic

Signature song: Thunderstruck (AC/DC)

Goal music: Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)
DR Congo

Signature song: Leopards Fimbu Na Fimbu (Instrumental)

Goal music: GIMS Chante Pour Léopard de la RDC

Post-match: Mbrouss (Jossart Nyoka Longo & Zaïko Langa Langa)

Jul 10: World Cup playlists #4 - Country choices - A - B

The New York Times released a list of the country choices of music from the World Cup.

Here are a few samples:

Algeria

Signature song: Disco Maghreb (DJ Snake)

Warm-up: Summer Rai Mix (Trabic Music); Chey Kbir Ya Omri (Bilal Milano)

Goal music: Viva L’algerie (Mahfoud & Sonia)

Post-match: Viva L’algerie (Mahfoud & Sonia); El Baloun Ydour-ElKhadraoui Sofican (DJAM); Khalik Liya Ya Bladi (Cheb Mohamed Lamine)

Argentina

Signature song: La Cumbia de los trapos (Yerba Brava); Pa’ la Selección (LA T Y LA M)

Warm-up: El Matador (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs); Hablando de la libertad (La Renga); Marado (Los Piojos)

Goal music: El Matador (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs); La Danza De Los Mirlos (Los Mirlos)

Post-match: Cumbia sobre el mar (Flowering Inferno & Quantic); La Cumbia de los trapos (Yerba Brava)

Australia

Signature song: Down Under (Men at Work)

Warm-up: Tieduprightnow (Parcels); Joker & The Thief (Wolfmother); Highway to Hell (AC/DC); Don’t Change (INXS)

Goal music: Thunderstruck (AC/DC); On My Mind (Powderfinger)

Post-match: Untouched (The Veronicas)

Austria

Signature song: I am from Austria (Rainhard Fendrich)

Warm-up: Rock Me Amadeus (Falco); Sweet Caroline (DJ Otzi); Baby (Justin Bieber)

Goal music: Maria (I Like It Loud) (Scooter)

Post-match: Freed from Desire (Gala); I am from Austria (Rainhard Fendrich)

Belgium

Signature song: Ta fete (Stromae); Warrior (Oscar and the Wolf)

Warm-up: Pump Up The Jam (Technotronic); Kiss The Grass (Sylvie Kreusch & Romeo Elvis); Makina Time (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Marlon Hoffstadt & DJ Konik)

Goal music: We are Belgium (24AM); Allez Allez (GOOOAAAAL)

Post-match: Alors On Danse (Stromae); We are Belgium (24AM); On Met La Patate (Omdat Het Kan & Average Rob)

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Signature song: Bosnom behar probeharao (Dino Merlin); Ljiljani (Halid Beslic)

Warm-up: Bosanac (Enes Begovic); Jel Sarajevo gdje je nekad bilo (Dino Merlin); Necu necu dijamante (Halid Beslic)

Goal music: Take Me To America (Salvatore Ganacci)

Post-match: Ljiljani (Halid Beslic); U.S.A. (Dubioza Kolektiv)

Brazil

Signature song: Bate no Peito (Papatinho)

Warm-up: Deixa a Vida Me Levar (Zeca Pagodinho); Dengo (João Gomes); E uma Partida de Futebol (Skank); Hoje (LUDMILLA); Passe a Respeitar (feat. DJ Chernobyl) (Papatinho, Naldo Benny, Fernanda Abreu & BK)

Goal music: Bate no Peito (Papatinho)

Post-match: Festa (Ivete Sangalo); P do Pecado (Ao Vivo) (Grupo Menos E Mais & Simone Mendes)

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....

Jul 8: World Cup Playlists #2 - World Cup cities

Investigating Spotify, you will be able to find the playlists for all the host cities.

You can listen to the host city themes on this playlist. These are all "variations on a theme..." and not memorable...

As well as the theme, the playlists feature songs which are played in each of the stadia...

I love that the Toronto playlist has this track from Rush.

YYZ is the airport code for Toronto airport.

The rhythm is based on Morse Code.

Neil Peart remembers..

"The rhythm stuck in my head and I said, ‘Guys!’ So then, thematically we said, ‘We’ll let’s use that airport — so much a part of our lives in those days and after — let’s use that as a metaphor in a sense. Again, in a playful way. There was no sense of ‘Okay, this part is this part’ and all that. But there is a sense of bustling and coming and going and the grand emotion of that middle section of what airports can be. In our lives, airports were rich with symbolism. Departures and comings and goings; departures and arrivals. Separations and meetings. That was kind of woven into the song. The exotic nature of travel, too, and Alex’s guitar solo for sure too. He wove in that kind of eastern mode."

Source; Wikipedia

More posts to come...