Timeless anthems that shaped the World Cup atmosphere... Black artists who left their mark on football stadiums

Written by: Ayman Ragab

The World Cup is more than just a competition on the pitch; it's a global cultural event immortalized by goals, historic moments, and the songs that resonate with fans. While many editions of the tournament have had official anthems, only a few have become timeless classics, while the unofficial songs remain closest to the hearts of many fans. A significant number of Black artists from around the world have contributed to some of the most famous of these anthems.

Here are some of the most popular songs associated with football and the World Cup:

Vigidrim – Bring the trophy home

The French rapper of Ivorian descent released this song days after France won the 2018 World Cup, in celebration of the victorious team. It quickly became an unofficial anthem for the French national team and continues to be played at celebrations and sporting events to this day.

Tam Ser – «The Hammer Strike» (featuring Team Baia, City Milano, Reinard Parakesa, Tazy Boy, and BSK)

The song was released in December 2023, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Ivory Coast, and served as a celebration of the tournament and the Ivorian people. Its success transcended national borders, achieving widespread popularity across Africa, with the music video garnering nearly 170 million views on YouTube, and it also received platinum certification in France.

Lisandro Coxley and Lonnie Johnson – Seki Seki

To mark Cabo Verde's historic first participation in the World Cup, the two artists presented a song with kizomba rhythms and in the local Creole language, which became one of the most prominent songs supporting the national team.

Key Nan – The Waving Flag

Although the song was officially associated with the 2010 World Cup, it gained renewed prominence during the 2014 World Cup, after becoming part of the celebrations of the Colombian national team, which impressed fans with its dance performances after scoring goals, inspired by the rhythms of "Salsa Choc" music.

Future and Tayla – Playtime

American rapper Future is collaborating with South African star Tyla on one of the official bonus songs for the 2026 World Cup. The song is part of the official album for the tournament and blends trap rhythms with Tyla's voice to deliver an energetic track that captures the competitive atmosphere.

Shakira and Borna Boy – Day by Day

Despite Nigeria's absence from the World Cup finals, Nigerian star Burna Boy made his presence felt through this official song, in which he collaborates with Shakira, adding touches of African rhythms to it, making it one of the most widespread and popular songs of the tournament.