World Cup: How ‘Wonderwall’ became the official song of England’s Three Lions

Isn’t it amazing how the same song can sound terrible sung by a lone man with a guitar next to a roaring fire sung by a young lady, and yet sung so well by 40,000 people in a football stadium making a football club cry? That, my friends, is the wonder of “Wonderwall.”

Much like “Roads of the World” has risen to become the unofficial theme of the United States men’s national team, this year’s World Cup has anointed Oasis’ classic “Wonderwall” as the anthem for England’s incredible run to the semis … and possibly beyond.

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The “Wonderwall” soccer reboot is a great marriage of music and moments, a ’90s classic reimagined for a team with a mission, in a game that thrives on the deep bonds between players and supporters. As England – a country that always goes from fun to meat and back, a country that is always under its own history – tries to win the first World Cup since 1966, why not use the anthem of the last 30 years as its appeal?

You already know why “Wonderwall” is a great stadium song. It’s a simple, sweet song that moves along at a decent tempo. The first time you heard it, it sounded like something you’ve been hearing all your life. No matter how many pints you have during the game, you can stumble your way to the right key during that “And aaaand after all, you’re my wowwaaaall…” chorus.

And, like all good singalongs, it’s best heard in a group, waving your arms around your partners. Sure, no one knows what a “wonderwall” is, but who cares? The song evokes desire, happiness and friendship all at the same time. Those types of songs don’t come around often.

And in the World Cup games, when England beat Croatia 4-2 in the first game of the group stage, the song came out of the speakers at Dallas Stadium. As if they had all done this a thousand times before, the band gathered in front of their incredible wall of supporters, and everyone sang in imperfect harmony. (The Wall Street Journal notes that this moment almost didn’t happen; a DJ at a Dallas stadium was supposed to play “Sweet Caroline,” but he called out loud and went with “Wonderwall.” And so a tradition was born.)

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“That was one of my favorite” – or “favourite” – “moments I’ve ever put on an England shirt, and especially in a major tournament,” Harry Kane told England’s official podcast afterwards. “I know it’s only the first game and we’re not impressed, but that emotional connection with the fans – we see what it means to them and they see what it means to us.”

Since then, England have gone unbeaten, winning against Mexico and Norway. And “Wonderwall” has always been there: