England's World Cup campaign got off to a pulsating start in Texas as 'Chase the Sun' by Planet Funk took centre stage every time the Three Lions struck gold. The darts anthem, a familiar favourite on the oche, was the perfect accompaniment to their 4-2 victory over Croatia – and it quickly won over the hearts of fans in Dallas and back home.
The adoption of 'Chase the Sun' for goal celebrations has injected a fresh flavour into England's World Cup experience. It may not be a traditional football anthem, but its infectious beat and energetic vibe captured the imagination of supporters who joined in with gusto even when the music wasn't playing. With 40 of the 48 teams scoring at least once during the group stage, it's been an anthem-filled spectacle so far.
The FA opted for this song after inviting each participating nation to choose two tracks – one for goal celebrations and another for match-end victories. It was a simple process that allowed each team to showcase their unique musical identity. For England, fans sang along with 'Three Lions' by David Baddiel et al., while social media clips of the squad celebrating to Oasis's 'Wonderwall' were a hit.
Other nations have added their own flair to the tournament. Scotland's The Proclaimers choice, 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)', is an iconic anthem that resonated with Scots around the globe. Australia went for AC/DC's high-energy 'Thunderstruck', while co-hosts the USA chose a remixed version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic 'Free Bird'. It's been a wild ride, and we can't wait to see what the next few weeks have in store.
The trend towards dedicated goal songs is gaining momentum. Top European clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace are already using specific tracks for their goals. As we approach the knockout stages, it'll be interesting to see which anthems prove most popular – or indeed if some teams will stick with the original choices.
Austria's 'Maria (I Like It Loud)' by Scooter was a bit of a curveball, while the Czech Republic opted for a modernised version of 'Seven Nation Army' that got fans singing along. These unconventional choices have added an exciting dimension to the tournament and reminded us that, when it comes to music, football is all about diversity and expression.