This week sees the 2026 FIFA World Cup commence and there's a whole album associated that has been released today. Shakira and Burna Boy have been given the official record title for the event this year and that lands in the UK Singles Chart at #87 today.

As we brace ourselves for a 3 Lions return (there's a CD coming next week!), it got me thinking that over the years we've seen some great, some terrible and some persistently reoccurring tracks. From Baddiel/Skinner/The Lightning Seeds, New Order to even Dizzee Rascal/James Corden, is there a favourite that you have? Share some of them here and let's relive some memories and make some discoveries too.

I particularly remember 2006 being quite the year with the likes of Crazy Frog, Tony Christie, Black Eyed Peas/Sérgio Mendes and Infernal (remember From London to Berlin?) scaling the charts.

1998 was also a big one with Vindaloo, Carnaval de Paris (definitely my favourite) and 3 Lions '98.

2010 with Wavin' Flag and its 20 million remixes, plus Shakira's huge track Waka Waka.

My three favourites from the past 30 years:

Ricky Martin: The Cup Of Life (1998)

Shakira: Waka Waka (2010)

Anastasia: Boom (2002)

Enjoying this one from Ghana this year (although the pedant in me has to point out the flags aren't correct!)

I'm a big fan of Embrace but this felt like a bit of a disappointment:

This, however, was a low key BANGER!

Edited June 6Jun 6 by Mangø

I love how Shakira is the default person they go to for World Cup anthems

'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)' finally to go Top 20 with a reset?

"Three Lions" is the non-negotiable classic, not just as a football song but as a pop song generally, although that's testament to Ian Broudie as much as it is anything else who is one of our finest pop songwriters.

I quite liked "Carnaval De Paris" as well, mainly because it was reflecting the global feel of World Cup 98 and could almost exist independent of the tournament.

I think the only other one that has stayed pretty timeless is Englandneworder "World In Motion", again because whilst it was a football song, it wasn't so tied up in being one to not be a great record.

On 07/06/2026 at 23:28, jimwatts said:

'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)' finally to go Top 20 with a reset?

I sure hope so.

'Eat My Goal' because of SM:TV (we were taking about it in another thread).

Vindaloo & Sweet Caroline.

21 hours ago, TheSnake said:

'Eat My Goal' because of SM:TV (we were taking about it in another thread).

Excellent call - and again, one which works independently of the World Cup too!

If we must endure Three lions again can they at least update the lyrics , 30 years of hurt its 60 now 🤦‍♂️

On 05/06/2026 at 23:17, Paddington James said:

Anastasia: Boom (2002)

This was due a UK single release at the time, but for some reason they cancelled it. Which I thought was bizarre because I'm pretty sure it'd have been a decent sized hit for her.

8 minutes ago, Jessie Where said:

This was due a UK single release at the time, but for some reason they cancelled it. Which I thought was bizarre because I'm pretty sure it'd have been a decent sized hit for her.

It only got to #23 in Australia, which I didn’t realise. I always thought it went top 20 here.

From an Irish point of view - Christy Moore - Joxer Goes to Stuttgart and Horselips!!

Radio 2 has just played a selection:

Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

Carnaval de Paris

3 Lions

Waka Waka

Sweet Caroline

Song 2

Vindaloo

Seven Nation Army

I had forgotten about Yes Sir, I Can Boogie being adopted by Scotland as an unofficial anthem.

2010 was the best year for World Cup songs, tbh. We had both "Waka Waka" and "Wavin' Flag".

Buzzjack's Ultimate Footie Playlist that myself and @awardinary created:

„The great escape“ is another good one.

On 09/06/2026 at 22:11, 777666jason said:

If we must endure Three lions again can they at least update the lyrics , 30 years of hurt its 60 now 🤦‍♂️

they did do an update for the previous world cup but barely anyone actually liked it