Who doesn’t love a good sing-a-long? Not football fans, apparently!
When it comes to major sports competitions like the Euros, the party doesn’t stop at the final whistle – it extends to the music that pumps up the energy and captures that championship vibe. Buckle up, ’cause we’re about to take a wild ride through some of the biggest names who’ve lent their voices to official UEFA anthems.
Enrique Iglesias – “Can You Hear Me” (Euro 2008)
The “King of Latin Pop” himself, Enrique Iglesias, took a swing at the football scene with “Can You Hear Me” for Euro 2008. Now, we’ve got to give the man props for trying to blend his smooth, romantic style with that tournament fire. But let’s be real here – the connection to the beautiful game felt a bit, well, forced.
Sure, the music video had some slick freestyle moves and football silhouettes, but at the end of the day, it was more of a pop party than football frenzy. Still, you’ve got to respect Enrique for giving it a go, even if the critics weren’t exactly feeling the love.
Nelly Furtado – “Força” (Euro 2004)
When Euro 2004 hit Portugal, Nelly Furtado brought the heat with her infectious anthem “Força” (meaning “strength” in Portuguese – how fitting!). This jam blended Furtado’s unique pop-folk style with an irresistible tribal drumbeat and lyrics that’ll have you fist-pumping in no time.
Even though Portugal didn’t bring home the trophy, “Força” was an absolute banger that had fans grooving and screaming their hearts out. The music video, packed with scenes of teammates ing each other and celebrations galore, only added to the hype. While it may not be a legendary World Cup anthem, “Força” will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Euro 2004 diehards.
David Guetta featuring Zara Larsson – “This One’s For You” (Euro 2016)
When Euro 2016 rolled around, the organisers turned to French DJ legend David Guetta and Swedish pop powerhouse Zara Larsson for the official anthem, “This One’s For You.” Talk about a dynamic duo! This dance-pop banger perfectly captured the festive atmosphere of the tournament with its infectious beat and uplifting lyrics.
The chorus, “We’re in this together,” was an instant crowd-pleaser, echoing the unity and ion of football fans across Europe. Guetta’s production wizardry combined with Larsson’s soaring vocals proved that modern electronic dance music could indeed encapsulate the spirit of a football championship – and have us all moving in the process.
Martin Garrix featuring Bono and The Edge – “We Are The People” (Euro 2020)
For the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020, the organisers called on Dutch DJ Martin Garrix and rock legends Bono and The Edge from U2 to create “We Are The People.” Now, this anthem had the tall order of being a unifying, uplifting jam during some seriously tough times. And while reactions were mixed, you’ve got to give props for the ambitious collab. Some fans dug the anthemic vibe and the blend of Garrix’s modern electronic sound with Bono’s iconic vocals.
Others felt it lacked that raw, football-centric energy that makes a great tournament song truly pop off. But at the end of the day, “We Are The People” managed to capture that hopeful, resilient spirit we all needed – a reminder that music has the power to bring us together, even in the darkest of times.
Let’s Hear it for the Noise!
While not every song hits that sweet spot, the tradition of encapsulating the tournament’s spirit through music is one we can all get behind. Many of these stadiums have hosted an incredible roster of musicians, from the Foo Fighters at Stadion Wankdorf to Madonna at Stadion Letzigrund. Whether they become timeless classics or curious footnotes in football history, it’s safe to say that we all love to love them – or love to hate them. Either way, it’s a cherry on the cake…
Photo by Vienna Reyes on Unsplash
