FIFA World Cup official anthems and songs

FIFA World Cup anthems and songs are tunes and songs adopted officially by FIFA that are used prior to the World Cup event and accompany the championships during the event. These tunes and songs are also used in advertising campaigns for the World Cup event. These songs are usually multilingual and include English, the official language of the organizing country, Spanish and other languages. Since 1962, every World Cup has had an official theme song which has been a hit across the world. Some of the most popular FIFA World Cup theme songs and anthems include La Copa de la Vida sung by Ricky Martin, Waka Waka sung by Shakira, and Wavin' Flag sung by K'Naan. The theme song of the upcoming 2022 World Cup, Hayya Hayya (Better Together) sung by Trinidad Cardona, Davido and AISHA, has already caught the attention of the world.

1962 World Cup

Official song: El Rock del Mundial

Performer: Los Ramblers

Host: Chile

1966 World Cup

Official song: World Cup Willie

Performer: Lonnie Donegan

Host: England

1970 World Cup

Official song: Fútbol México 70

Performer: Los Hermanos Zavala

Host: Mexico

1974 World Cup

Official song: Futbol

Performer: Maryla Rodowicz

Host: West Germany

1978 World Cup

Official song: El Mundial

Performer: Buenos Aires Municipal Symphony

Host: Argentina

1982 World Cup

Official song: Mundial '82

Performer: Plácido Domingo

Host: Spain

1986 World Cup

Official song: El mundo unido por un balón

Performer: Juan Carlos Abara

Host: Mexico

1990 World Cup

Official song: Un'estate italiana

Performers: Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini (Italian) Giorgio Moroder Project (English)

Host: Italy

1994 World Cup

Official song: Gloryland

Performers: Daryl Hall and Sounds of Blackness

Host: USA

1998 World Cup

Official Anthem: La Cour des Grands (Do You Mind If I Play)

Performers: Youssou N'Dour and Axelle Red

Official song: La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)

Performer: Ricky Martin

Host: France

2002 World Cup

Official Anthem: Anthem

Performer: Vangelis

Official song: Boom

Performer: Anastacia

Host: Japan and South Korea

2006 World Cup

Official Anthem: Zeit dass sich was dreht (Celebrate The Day)

Performers: Herbert Grönemeyer featuring Amadou & Mariam

Official song: The Time of Our Lives

Performers: Il Divo, featuring Toni Braxton

Host: Germany

2010 World Cup

Official Promotional Anthem: Sign of a victory

Performers: R. Kelly, featuring the Soweto Spiritual Singers

Official Anthem: Wavin' Flag

Performers: K'Naan

Official song: Waka Waka

Performers: Shakira featuring Freshlyground

Host: South Africa

2014 World Cup

Official Anthem: "Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)

Performers: Carlos Santana featuring Wyclef, Avicii, and Alexandre Pires

Official song: We Are One (Ole Ola)

Performers: Pitbull featuring Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte

Host: Brazil

2018 World Cup

Official song: Live It Up

Performers: Nicky Jam featuring Will Smith and Era Istrefi

Host: Russia

2022 World Cup

Official song: Hayya Hayya (Better Together)

Performers: Trinidad Cardona, Davido and AISHA

Host: Qatar

Latest FIFA World Cup 2022™ official soundtrack - Arhbo

FIFA released the latest single from the multi-song FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Official Soundtrack named 'Arhbo' on 20 August 2022.

The soundtrack features Puerto Rican rapper Ozuna & French-raised Congolese rapper GIMS. GIMS, also known as Maitre Gims is the first French-speaking artist to produce and perform a World Cup soundtrack.

The chosen word 'Arhbo' roots in the Arabic word 'Marhaba' which translates to 'welcome'. The song is expected to symbolize unity and togetherness.

'Arhbo' was produced by RedOne who is FIFA’s Creative Entertainment Executive and the track was recorded at Katara Studios in Doha.

As per FIFA, the song is available on all streaming platforms on 26 August 2022, globally. 

The singers behind the Arabic World Cup song ‘Arhbo’

 The FIFA 2022 album will include up to six songs, including the latest release “Arhbo.”

Qatar has released its Arabic song ‘Arhbo’ for the first ever FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022—which is now on the tongue of almost every Arab thanks to its catchy rhythm.

The song gained massive traction immediately after it was released and quickly surpassed 5 million views on all of Ooredoo’s social media channels.

The music video for the song, titled Arhbo, was made by Qatari director Mohamed Al Ibrahim and was produced by Katara Studios in Doha.

The track, which features well-known singers, was released to the public at the Lusail Super Cup game between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and Egypt’s Al Zamalek, which also marked the opening of the last and biggest World Cup stadium.

The uniqueness of the song is rooted in the selection of artists featured within it. The producers of the song were conscious not to choose cliched famous picks but rather focused on rising artists from different countries in the region to showcase the young talents.

So, who are the singers behind one of the most iconic World Cup songs yet? Let’s take a look at their career history and why they are the perfect choice for the song.

Nasser Al Kubaisi

Nasser Al Kubaisi, a young Qatari artist, launched his artistic career at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, which were held in his country in 2006.

He sang at the ceremony as the youngest participant and just before turning 12 years old he appeared at the Coral Swar Theater, in which children performed to hundreds of attendees. Al Kubaisi succeeded in wooing the audience from a young age with his talent and angelic voice.

For the young artist, his latest work for his country has inspired him and served as an opportunity to portray a message that everyone is welcome in the Gulf nation.

“Culture and art are a major and important part of sports, as music and art are closely related to football. We in Qatar are preparing well for this event, as Qatari art will mark its presence inside and outside the stadiums,” he said.

“There will be singing and performances for the crowds. We will spare no effort to [do] our best to provide a rich and enjoyable experience for visitors to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” Al Kubaisi added.

Ayed Yousef

Popular Saudi Arabian singer and artist Ayed Yousef is best known for the song “Besm Al Elah,” which topped the Popnable charts for 3 consecutive weeks and reached the 62nd position as the ‘best effort’.

He was also one of the judges of Saudi Arabia’s first-ever singing talent program “Beat Me if You Can,” which was a huge success in the country.

His talents earned him a spot in the top charts for best Saudi Arabian musicians and artists in 2021.

Haneen Hussein

Haneen Hussein is a sensational rising Kuwaiti artist and singer who is well known for her greatest hit “Bravo Alek.”

The Kuwaiti song by the singer, along with Abdelaziz Lewis and Badr Al-Shuaibi has over 55 million views on YouTube and is the most popular song in the Arab world.

“My joy cannot be described by my participation in the song “Arhbo” for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Thank you to all those in charge of this magnificent work,” she said on her Instagram page after the song’s release.

(Source: Doha News)