How the USMNT Chose ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ As a World Cup Anthem
How the USMNT Chose ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ As a World Cup Anthem
FIFA asked each of the 48 World Cup teams to choose a win celebration song for the 2026 World Cup.Ben Steiner|Sebastian Berhalter embraced the atmosphere in Seattle on Friday. | John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images
Dancing around the pitch and saluting the fans after a 2–0 win over Australia on Friday in Seattle, the U.S. men’s national team players might not have been able to hear themselves over the roar of the crowd.
“Take Me Home, Country Roads, to the place where I belong,” the 66,925 fans screamed, with many players taking part as well, as the USMNT enjoyed its newest post-win anthem in one of the hotbeds of North American soccer.
“Singing that song was one of the highlights of this whole tournament so far,” midfielder Sebastian Berhalter told Sports Illustrated. “Belting that out, it just felt so American in that moment and with the guys on teams singing, that was really cool.”
The song, released by John Denver in 1971, has become part of the American music lexicon, with nearly every crowd knowing the words to at least the chorus. It’s in the same vein as Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and Neil Diamond’s ”Sweet Caroline,” which have thrilled fans in sing-alongs amid the chorus of boos at World Cup hydration breaks.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 19, 2026
For American fanbases that aren’t used to the typical singing and chanting of European, African or South American soccer support, it’s the type of thing to get the crowd going—adding an element beyond “I believe that we will win,” and “U-S-A!”
“It’s just being proud of your country,” defender Auston Trusty told reporters. ”I think ’Country Roads’ is a very American song. To hear that in the stadium, everyone was singing along—everyone. If you’re American, you probably know that song, so everyone’s singing and celebrating the win, and you’re smiling and happy with your teammates. It’s a dream come true.”
The song rose to popularity in the 1970s and has become a sports anthem at West Virginia University, given the state’s name-drop, even though the road it refers to is Clopper Road in Montgomery County, Md.
Famed for its use at WVU, it’s one of many songs that have become anthems in college sports, which also include Virginia Tech’s famed “Enter Sandman” pregame entrance and Alabama’s “Dixieland Delight”.
“I’ve noticed the fans singing along even in other games too,” Berhalter added. “It’s great they’ve been doing that, and it keeps the crowds engaged.”
How Did the USMNT Land on ‘Country Roads’?
The USMNT has more momentum than ever, fuelling growth of U.S. soccer fandom. | Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
The Americanization of international soccer tournaments, notably the 2024 Copa América, the 2025 Club World Cup, and this year’s World Cup, has paved the way for more team-affiliated songs. Already this summer, each team has a goal song, similar to those in the Bundesliga or in ice hockey.
For the USMNT, the goal song is a mix of techno and pop, but FIFA asked each of the 48 participating teams for an additional win song. U.S. Soccer consulted the players and those around the organization for options by U.S. artists that could spark a singalong, and chose Country Roads from a trio which also included “Sweet Caroline,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” partially due to England’s claim on “Sweet Caroline.”
Having heard the resounding singalong once in Los Angeles and again in Seattle the USMNT will hope it continues in the final Group D game against Türkiye on Thursday, before the knockout stages, which could include a round of 16 return to Seattle.
READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Ben Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
BEN STEINER
