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The FIFA World Cup 2026 is no longer just a football tournament, but has become a mega-festival of sports, global music and the emotions of fans around the world. The purpose of the songs that resonate in the stadium from the time the players enter the field, to the celebration of the goal and till the end of the match, is not just to entertain. Their real job is to instill enthusiasm among the players and create an unbreakable bond among the spectators. This is why FIFA has prepared a different stadium soundtrack for each team this time. Who decides which song will be played in the stadium? FIFA does not decide the songs to be played during the World Cup alone in closed rooms. This involves a highly democratic and organized process: joint teamwork: FIFA’s stadium entertainment team, the football associations of all 48 participating countries, the players themselves and the local organizing committee work together to select the songs. Cultural identity: Each country’s football association sends an official list of songs to FIFA that reflect its culture, history and football identity. Players’ choice: The players themselves choose some special songs to be played during warm-up, goal celebration and after winning the match, based on their preferences. If the response of the fans to a song is great, then it also gets a place in the playlist of the upcoming matches. How was the music bank of more than 750 songs prepared? According to a recent report by Reuters, a huge music collection of more than 750 songs has been prepared for this year’s World Cup. FIFA follows a special process to create this mega-playlist: Domestic League Study: FIFA first conducts an in-depth study of the songs and chants played in the domestic football leagues of the participating countries (e.g. English Premier League, La Liga, etc.). Fan engagement: It is seen which songs the fans dance to the most while singing and which tunes increase the motivation of the players. Situational Playlist: After this, different sub-playlists are created for different stages of the match like team line-up, warm-up, immediately after the goal is scored and full-time. Why does every team have its own ‘signature music’? Every country in the world has its own unique culture, language and different football traditions. FIFA prepares a different stadium soundtrack for each team so that the players can get an atmosphere like their home even across the seven seas. Additionally, countries where football culture is still new or rapidly developing try to create a new identity for themselves on the international stage through these special songs and tunes. This music over time becomes an important part of that country’s own football heritage. Music boosts players and fans at the psychological level. Sports experts believe that playing the right beats at the right time has a deep and positive impact on the psychology of both players and spectators. For players: High-rapid songs played during warm-up before the match increase the adrenaline rush of the players and prepare them mentally for the match. For Fans: When the entire stadium sings along to the same tune after a goal is scored, the engagement and enthusiasm of the crowd reaches its peak, making the match day experience memorable for a lifetime. From ‘Waka Waka’ to K-pop and techno: World Cup music has changed There was a time when only a few traditional slogans or selected tunes could be heard in the early World Cup matches. In 2010, songs like Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka$’ and K’Nan’s ‘Wavin’ Flag$’ forever changed the definition of World Cup music. Today, the official playlist of the 2026 World Cup sees a wonderful fusion of rock, pop, Korean K-pop, Latino reggaeton, techno and traditional folk music. This diversity makes the FIFA World Cup not just a sporting event, but the largest platform for global cultures and arts.