My opinion on the songs of this World Cup
I'm here to critique the World Cup songs and tell you which one is my favorite.
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner. Football is a sport I've always loved, but I stopped watching it six years ago. Of course, with the World Cup approaching, it's inevitable that I get excited watching some matches and wondering who will win. By the way, I also have to place bets to see if I get lucky.
But today I'm here to critique the songs that have been released for this World Cup: the official ones, which I only kind of like, and my favorite, released by a streamer named Speed.
Let's start with the video for the song "Illuminate," performed by Jessie Reyes and Elyanna. To be honest, I have no idea who these singers are. I don't like either the video or the song. It's completely uninspired. The video uses stock footage of plays, people in the stadium, and then the singers with other women, dressed as if they're trying to imitate Shakira's style. This video and this song don't inspire me at all. I'm leaving you the link because the idiots at FIFA's YouTube channel don't allow embedding the video on external sites:
Then there's the video and song by Belinda with Los Ángeles Azules. The only good thing about the video is seeing Belinda. I don't understand what those images have to do with soccer. Like almost all the videos this year, everything looks forced and fake. This song sounds more like something you'd play in a Latin bar. It sounds more like a breakup song, and the people are dressed like they're in a scene from Fast and Furious. Total nonsense. Here's the link:
The "Echo" video with Daddy Yankee and Shenseea is absolute garbage. How awful! The video is made with a rather ingenious artificiality. The lyrics are ugly and lack emotion. These people think that just by wearing a soccer jersey they're already conveying passion for the sport. If they don't even feel passion for it, they'll never be able to convey it. Here's the link, I know they'll take it down soon, it's unbearable:
The video and song "Lighter" with Jelly Roll, Carín León, and Cirkut don't fit, they don't go with anything. That musical style doesn't match. Plus, they use stock footage. Maybe to reach a more American audience, but the problem is that this agent doesn't like soccer; his thing is American football, basketball, and baseball. The song isn't bad, but it doesn't fit with soccer. Here's the link:
There's another song with its video; I don't remember who sings it. There are two, but I've forgotten and can't find it. It has the same flaws as the previous ones and it's not even worth including here; you're not missing anything. I couldn't help but mention the garbage commissioned by the president of Mexico. A dreadful feminist song, featuring Julieta Venegas, whom feminism has actually harmed; she looks just like the Mexican president's daughter. Here's the link to this abomination:
Now, let's move on to Shakira's. I like this song and the video too, although some parts look AI-generated and add nothing to the overall experience. On the other hand, it's not very reminiscent of "Waka Waka," because all she does is wiggle her butt, which she does very well, but there's nothing new in the video. They probably used AI to make her look younger, with some very attractive dancers shaking that sexy butt. That's what attracts men, and it's the most acceptable thing about all of the above. Let's put this on, Dai Dai.
Okay, now I'll share the one I liked best. It's not an official FIFA song, although I read that, due to its success, FIFA contacted the creator to include it. I don't know how true that is. It was made by the streamer Speed. I don't like him; I don't like his videos, from what little I've seen online. I'm not a fan either, but I have to admit that this video really captures the emotion of football.
The street, people who seem real, without pretense, unity, passion for football, kids playing in the street, families watching the game on TV, others listening to it on the radio in the street, celebrating the goals, even Spanish ID cards stuck to a refrigerator. Whoever made this video really knew how to use a studio to create something catchy, something people can easily hum. In the style of advertising jingles. Don Draper, if he existed, would be proud of this. It captures the emotion of this sport. The lyrics are simple. All his success, which all those executives and producers of the other songs overlooked, because they're probably people who don't like this sport. Speed likes football, he knows Cristiano Ronaldo, he goes to Portugal. That's where you see the difference.
Here it is for you to enjoy. It's my favorite.
Gifs and separators made by me in photoshop. Translation with Deepl
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The only one I’ve seen, and only half of it is Shakira’s, ha ha ha, and exactly, it reminded me of that old song, but I didn’t know there were so many of them!!!! And I didn’t like any of them; it’s all so artificial and devoid of everything, especially the emotion that, for many, and here I’m talking about Argentinians, is what football is all about.
Now... that last video was brilliant!! How do you know so much??? I hadn’t the faintest idea, now that’s football!! I loved it! Thanks JC!!!!!😃
la mayoría no me gusto, solo la de speed y que no era canción oficial
Bueno a veces lo raro y alienígena gusta más... no te parece?
Even if one isn’t a fan of Speed himself, like me, I guess the video demonstrates how someone who genuinely loves the sport can channel that passion into a cultural moment. That’s the difference between executives producing polished but detached anthems, and a creator who understands the heartbeat of football.
Yes, I liked the Speed one better. That should be the official song and video.