As the World Cup’s decisive final match approaches on Sunday, soccer fans across the globe are gearing up for the big game — and no pre-match celebration is complete without a carefully curated set of anthems to fuel excitement. No matter which side you’re rooting for, whether you’re backing Argentina to make history or cheering on Spain’s rising young squad, The Associated Press has assembled a 10-song collection that has something for every viewer, with all tracks available to stream in full on Spotify.
Leading off the lineup is this tournament’s official World Cup anthem, *Dai Dai*, the 2026 collaboration between Colombian global superstar Shakira and Afrobeats legend Burna Boy. Blending the artists’ distinct musical identities, the track merges infectious Latin rhythms with Afrobeats cadences to create a truly global, multilingual listening experience. After the opening chorus, the two artists trade verses in a dynamic back-and-forth before uniting for a rousing closing duet centered on themes of unity and competitive triumph. Shakira emphasized the unifying power of soccer in an interview with the AP, noting: “Fútbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life. 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.”
Next on the list is the genre-bending collaboration *DNA (More Than A Game)*, which brings together an unexpectedly electric lineup of legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli, EDM pioneer David Guetta, *KPop Demon Hunters* singer-songwriter EJAE and award-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Performed across three languages — English, Italian, and Korean — the track delivers a surprisingly powerful anthem with a core message of collective empowerment. “’Cause it’s more than just a game / it’s our DNA,” Bocelli and EJAE harmonize on the catchy chorus. Bocelli told the AP that stepping outside his usual performance style brought a refreshing new energy to the project: “It’s a kind of music very, very far from the scores that I’m used to performing in general, but sometimes it’s very nice to do something different and to discover new atmospheres. It’s very happy, the song. I think it gives happiness.”
No roundup of iconic World Cup anthems would be complete without Ricky Martin’s 1998 global hit *La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)*, released for that year’s tournament in France. The Spanglish mambo-pop smash remains the gold standard for World Cup theme songs, thanks to its unmistakeable soccer-centric lyrics, driving horn section, and relentless Eurodance-club energy that still gets crowds on their feet decades after its release.
For Spain supporters, the playlist opens with a selection of fan favorites closely tied to the team. Up-tempo merengue-pop track *Despechá* from Rosalía has become a go-to celebratory track for La Roja, played after every goal and final whistle victory. With the 2010 World Cup champions advancing to this year’s final, fans can expect to hear this track blaring over stadium speakers once again. The 1967 Latin pop classic *Mi Gran Noche* from legendary Spanish singer Raphael is another staple of Spanish World Cup celebrations, with its big band brass arrangement and infectious cheerful chorus earning it cross-generational appeal that has kept it popular for more than half a century. Rounding out Spain’s themed entries is *La Roja Baila*, the 2016 official European Championship anthem from former Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, flamenco-pop star Niña Pastori and hit producer RedOne. While Spain’s 2016 tournament run ended in disappointment, the track’s catchy, cheery call-and-response chorus still remains a favorite chant for fans.
For fans backing Argentina, the playlist highlights the tracks that have become the soundtrack to the team’s deep tournament run. *La Cumbia de los Trapos*, the 2000 hit from Argentine cumbia band Yerba Brava, first became the country’s unofficial anthem during their 2022 Qatar World Cup victory, and it has retained that status for this year’s tournament. Written as a soccer anthem from its inception, the high-energy track takes its name from the “rags” that fans wave as flags in Argentine stadiums. *Matador*, the iconic 1993 (2008 remastered) hit from ska-samba-reggae-rock group Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, is another staple played every time Argentina finds the back of the net. While its driving brass section and chant-along chorus make it a perfect party track, the song also carries a deeper meaning: it is a public condemnation of Argentina’s late-1970s and early-1980s military dictatorship. Modern Argentine duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso round out the Argentine selections with their 2024 track *Dumbai*, a playful, hook-driven genre-blending number that captures the joy of matchday celebration.
Closing out the playlist is another Shakira classic, widely considered the greatest World Cup anthem of all time: *Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)*, the official 2010 South Africa World Cup anthem featuring South African group Freshlyground. Built around a soca-influenced beat and drawing inspiration from Cameroonian band Golden Sounds’ 1986 track *Zangaléwa*, the song exemplifies what makes a great World Cup anthem: it lifts up regional musical traditions and shares them with a global audience, all while delivering an unforgettable, catchy hook that has kept it popular for 15 years.