'Country Roads' stars as unofficial US anthem at World Cup

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the US team’s unofficial anthem has become an unlikely favourite: Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver.
The 1971 folk classic has turned into a crowd phenomenon, with more than 70,000 fans singing along after US matches. The emotional renditions have resonated in a country grappling with political divisions under Donald Trump.
US fan Drew Bastinelli, who travelled from Oregon to celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary in Washington, said the song allows people to unite regardless of their differences.
The sing-alongs have offered a rare moment of togetherness at a time when many Americans remain concerned about inflation, healthcare and the country’s involvement in conflict with Iran. While Trump-backed “Freedom 250” celebrations in Washington attracted largely partisan crowds, World Cup stadiums have consistently been packed with enthusiastic supporters.
Doug Hartmann, a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota, said the song evokes “a kinder, simpler era” and appeals because its themes of home and belonging are open to personal interpretation, allowing listeners to connect with it in their own way.
The anthem’s emergence was not entirely accidental. US Soccer submitted a post-match playlist to Fifa that included “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, alongside Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. After England claimed Sweet Caroline, tournament organisers selected the John Denver classic for the US team’s June 19 victory over Australia.
As the music began, the sell-out crowd of 66,925 sang so loudly they drowned out the stadium speakers. The scene was repeated after the Americans defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 to reach the Round of 16.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino joined the celebrations, singing enthusiastically with supporters. Although he is from Argentina, he said he feels part of something bigger with the US team and described the song as impossible not to sing because of its emotional power.
Jeffrey Montez de Oca described the mass sing-alongs as an example of “collective effervescence”, where people feel connected through a shared experience. Fellow academic Jules Boykoff said the diverse US squad has become a powerful symbol of unity.
Whether or not the US wins again, Take Me Home, Country Roads has already secured a lasting place in the nation’s growing football culture. -AFP