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The culture around United States soccer has been oft-mocked for numerous reasons, from the quality of its domestic league (MLS) and its lack of relegation, to the seemingly perpetual pantomime villain presence of Alexi Lalas. One of those clowned on components, though, may have found a solution: John Denver.
The notorious face of the perceived corny song and chant culture of American soccer is “I Believe That We Will Win,” which first rose to prominence during the 2014 World Cup and has become a bit of Ted Lasso-ism in the wake of the hit AppleTV show.
The rest of the catalog is equally uninspiring : “Glory to the US!” to the tune of Twisted Sister’s ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It,’ or “Shots!” to the tune of, well, LMFAO’s
‘Shots.’
The 2026 World Cup may have uncovered an interesting solution for the USMNT and its fans, though. America produces the most recognizable music in the World. Why not just sing those songs instead?
Hot take: #USMNT fans don’t really need creative chants, we could just sing popular American songs and be very loud. Same outcome
— 🇺🇸 (@starsnstripesfc) June 18, 2026
How John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” became a USMNT anthem and what other songs were considered
One song that’s taken particular hold is John Denver’s magnum opus about the natural beauty of the United States, as it was proudly sung by nearly 67,000 fans in Seattle following the USMNT’s second group stage game, a 2-0 win over Australia to win their group.
The @USMNT faithful serenade their team with “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in Seattle 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XI3Q3EkxhK
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026
According to Ben Jacobs, a soccer reporter and commentator with over 777K followers on X/Twitter, other songs that were “shortlisted” to be the post-match anthem were ‘Living on a Prayer’ and ‘Sweet Caroline,’ but the latter was not selected due to its previous use by fans of the England national team.
“FIFA and US Soccer picked Country Roads as a post-match celebration song for the USMNT after consulting with players… The aim was to find songs that were representative of American artists and would also be crowd singalongs. Former US Soccer employee and FIFA executive Amy Hopfinger made the final call on using Country Roads.”
FIFA and US Soccer picked Country Roads as a post-match celebration song for the USMNT after consulting with players. The track has resonated with US football fans.
The aim was to find songs that were representative of American artists and would also be crowd singalongs.
Along… pic.twitter.com/a83mnEZiZX
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 22, 2026
As reported by The Guardian, the USMNT’s in-stadium playlist unfolds as follows:
“You’ll hear Dai Dai and Seven Nation Army. The growing boos that accompany the onset of a hydration break will be drowned out by Livin’ On A Prayer. After the game is where the venues can play their own favorites. In Vancouver, that meant Freed From Desire. On Friday, Seattle opened the Great American Songbook and turned to one of its most weathered pages: Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
With their place atop Group D locked up, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has the flexibility to rest starters and give minutes to backups in their third and final group stage game against Turkiye on Thursday night.