Turmoil has erupted in the world of music as Mutoid Man laid bare their bewilderment at a perceived similarity between the official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem 'DNA' and one of their own tracks, 'Call Of The Void'. The heavy metal supergroup – comprised of Stephen Brodsky (Cave In), Ben Koller (Converge), and Jeff Matz (High On Fire) – took to Instagram on July 3, sparking a heated debate with fans.
The post was an eye-opener for many, featuring the FIFA World Cup 2026 logo overlaid with 'Official Theme' and a caption that read: "Hey @fifaworldcup that vocal line sure sounds familiar. #goalofthevoid." The hashtag is, of course, a nod to their critically acclaimed album, Mutants (2023). Meanwhile, 'DNA', the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Anthem, boasts an all-star cast including Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, Megan Thee Stallion, and EJAE.
Mutoid Man stopped short of throwing down the gauntlet, choosing not to make a direct accusation of plagiarism. As it stands, neither FIFA nor the artists behind 'DNA' have issued any public response to the band's comments. 'DNA' officially dropped on June 10, with Bocelli and EJAE performing it live at the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City the very next day. According to FIFA, the song embodies the tournament's core themes of identity, unity, and belonging.
The tournament's opening ceremonies in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium last month were a spectacle to behold, featuring performances by Shakira and Burna Boy. The latter delivered 'Dai Dai', one of the official tournament songs – Shakira's third foray into World Cup music, following her contributions with 'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)' in 2010 and 'Dare (La La La)' in 2014.
As we look ahead to the World Cup finale on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the buzz is building. Shakira will take centre stage for the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show – a star-studded affair curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and set to feature Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and beloved characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. The event aims to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, seeking to raise $100 million to expand children's access to education and football globally.