NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Regardless of allegiances, there is one thing everyone can agree on: There’s nothing better than a themed playlist to get pumped for Sunday’s big match. The Associated Press has you covered there.
Whether you’re hoping Argentina will become since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, or that young superstar will score for Spain, everyone’s a winner across these 10 tracks.
Read on below and then stream the
Shakira and Burna Boy (2026)
Kick off your World Cup final listening party with this year’s official anthem: from and . The song is the perfect intersection of their musical languages, Afrobeats and Latin rhythms, on an undeniably global, multilingual track. After the first chorus, they take turns tackling verses, singing back and forth, before joining in a duet. It’s a message of unity and victory. Take it from Shakira herself: 鈥淔煤tbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life,鈥� . 鈥淭he big responsibility of making a World Cup song is that you鈥檝e got to make a song that represents people鈥檚 feelings, emotions, and passion.鈥�
Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, EJAE and Megan Thee Stallion (2026)
You read that artist list correctly. On this World Cup song, tenor Andrea Bocelli, EDM star David Guetta, singer-songwriter EJAE from and rapper Megan Thee Stallion team up for the genre-agnostic 鈥淒NA (More Than A Game).鈥� Performed in English, Italian and Korean, it’s surprisingly anthemic and has a strong empowerment message. 鈥溾�機ause it鈥檚 more than just a game / it鈥檚 our DNA,鈥� Bocelli and EJAE harmonize on the chorus.
鈥淚t’s a kind of music very, very far from the scores that I鈥檓 used to performing in general, but sometimes it鈥檚 very nice to do something different and to discover new atmospheres,鈥� . 鈥淚t’s very happy, the song. I think it gives happiness.鈥� That it does.
Ricky Martin (1998)
A Spanglish global smash and one of the most addictive World Cup anthems of all time, was really onto something when he released 鈥淟a Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)鈥� for the 1998 tournament held in France. It is the standard to which all World Cup anthems should be held 鈥� from its unmistakable soccer themes to its multilingual mambo-pop, unyielding horns section and Eurodance-club intensity. Ale, ale, ale!
Rosal铆a (2022)
Supporters of Spain are more than familiar with this up-tempo, merengue-pop tune 鈥� it has become a celebratory track for the team upon victory, played after they score and post-match. And now that the 2010 World Cup champions are in the final, it’s not unlikely it’s played out loud on stadium speakers again. It’s a cool pick from a team with swagger 鈥� and fitting for this playlist.
Raphael (1967)
The legendary Spanish singer Raphael is central to celebrations in the country this World Cup season. 鈥淢i Gran Noche鈥� is just one gem in his treasure trove of hits 鈥� a ’60s Latin pop classic with intergenerational appeal, played in clubs, bars, football clubs, on the radio and television specials and beyond. There鈥檚 a reason it has stood the test of time, with its big band brass and cheerful chorus.
Sergio Ramos, Ni帽a Pastori and RedOne (2016)
What do you get when you combine Spanish footballer Sergio Ramos, flamenco-pop singer Ni帽a Pastori and Moroccan record producer RedOne (known for his work with Jennifer Lopez and many more)? 鈥淟a Roja Baila,鈥� the Spanish team’s official anthem for the 2016 European Championship. (It translates to 鈥淭he Red One Dances,鈥� a reference to the team’s nickname, La Roja.) The results that year weren’t in Spain’s favor, but that’s no reason to stop chanting along to the song’s cheery post-chorus: 鈥淓spa帽a ey ey! / Cantamos gol, gol / Espa帽a ey ey! / La Roja baila.鈥� (鈥淪pain, hey hey! / We sing goal, goal! / Spain, hey hey! / La Roja dances!鈥�)
Yerba Brava (2000)
It was Argentina’s signature song in 2022, when they , and it has been their statement track this tournament, too. Argentine band Yerba Brava’s 2000 hit 鈥淟a Cumbia de los Trapos鈥� was written as a soccer anthem, and a soccer anthem it has remained. It’s a high-energy cumbia with a title that directly references 鈥渓os trapos,鈥� or 鈥渢he rags鈥� 鈥� the flags flown in Argentine stadiums.
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (1993, remastered 2008)
Ska-samba-reggae-rock group Los Fabulosos Cadillacs’ 鈥淢atador鈥� is heard when Argentina scores. The hit 鈥� with its Afro-Argentine candombe rhythms, big brass and chant-along chorus 鈥� is undeniably spirited. On first listen, it’s an upbeat party record. On closer inspection, it’s an indictment of the late-’70s and early-’80s period of dictatorship in Argentina.
Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (2024)
The Argentine duo of is making some of the most exciting music in the modern mainstream. Call it genre-averse, hook-heavy Latin pop with trance and trap beats atop tropical rhythms performed through an absurdist, comedic lens 鈥� that is, if you have to call it anything. 鈥淒umbai鈥� is arguably one of their more reserved tracks but still a fun romp about a fun night out.
Shakira featuring Freshlyground (2010)
No such playlist would be complete without the greatest World Cup anthem committed to record: 鈥淲aka Waka (This Time for Africa),鈥� also courtesy Shakira. It was the official anthem of the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa and featured the South African band Freshlyground. The song, with its soca-influenced beat and reference to the 1986 song 鈥淶angal茅wa,鈥� recorded by Cameroonian band Golden Sounds, manages to do what all World Cup songs should: Take local sounds and make them global, all without sacrificing hook and rhythm. It’s an earworm with a capital 鈥淓.鈥�
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