How ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’became the World Cup anthem of Team USA amid hot start

Fans of the United States cheer before the international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on June 6, 2026.(Daniel Bartel/USSF/Getty Images)

Well, U.S.Soccer said it consulted with the players, as well as those inside the organization, about what songs should ring out from the speakers during matches.The curated list was looking for songs that were both representative of American artists and would be good sing-along tracks for fans in the stands.

Among the list were classics like Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and Take Me Home, Country Roads.

“Sweet Caroline,” though, is used by England in this tournament, as is the classic Oasis track, “Wonderwall.”

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So, “Livin’ on a Prayer” remained on the playlist, but former U.S.Soccer employee and now FIFA executive, Amy Hopfinger, made the call for “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to specifically be used.

As it played over the speakers, the crowd drowned out Denver with its collective bellowing to the players.They clapped and saluted the rendition of the classic folk tune inSeattleas well as Los Angeles, where the USMNT won its first World Cup match — a 4-1 dominating victory over Paraguay.

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A young American soccer fan cheers before the international friendly match between the United States and Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on June 6, 2026.(Andrew J.Clark/ISI Photos)

The USMNT is hoping to hear the song again on Thursday in their final group stage match against Türkiye, though the match has no significance for either team.For Team USA, their win over Australia cemented their spot in the knockout stage as well as giving them the Group D win for the group stages.

As a result, the USMNT will be heading to the Bay Area either way following their next match, preparing for a Round of 32 matchup against a third-place team from either Groups B, E, F, I or J.

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Fans of the United States cheer during the international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on June 6, 2026.(Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)

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Tremendous momentum has been builtfor the USMNT, and going into a final group stage match without the worry of being bounced from the tournament is certainly no greater feeling for a squad using their home-country advantage.

They will hope to hear more fans singing their now-viral team song as they continue to advance in the tournament. 

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