The latest revival of the beloved song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the United States’ victory anthem.
The song, recorded in 1971, has captured the hearts of Americans for going on 55 years now as it is sung at sporting events across the country, ranging from high schools to professional sporting events.
Now, the song has made its mark on soccer’s biggest stage.
Here is the scene following the knockout-round FIFA World Cup victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Included in the celebration, singing emphatically, was Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. coach who is from Argentina and lives in Europe. It’s an example of how a song considered “American” by many knows no boundaries.
Why ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’
Before the matches kicked off this year, each of the 48 participating countries submitted a list of songs to be played before, during and after the games. But the U.S. didn’t originally submit the John Denver song.
According to The Athletic, the post-match songs included “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco and “Win” by Jay Rock. More songs were submitted for warmups and goal music, and the signature song was “Won’t Stop (Safari Riot Trailer Remix).”
So, how did “Take Me Home, Country Roads” end up being sung in the crowd?
Well, after the song was excluded, Amy Hopfinger experienced a special moment for England following its victory over Croatia when she saw players look up into the crowd singing “Wonderwall” by Oasis, which is considered the English equivalent of “Country Roads.”
She started communicating back and forth with World Cup production head Lance Brass about potential songs.
First, she suggested Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” but England had already taken that one, so the two eventually landed on “Living on a Prayer” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Bon Jovi’s 1986 hit played first, but The Athletic reports players were occupied with handshakes and a postgame prayer. But as soon as the prayer ended, Denver’s hit came on the speakers.
“That’s a song everyone knows,” midfielder Alejandro Zendejas said.
Watching players like Weston McKennie dancing to the music and directing the crowd, the moment felt perfect.
It’s safe to say Hopfinger made a good call.
“You could feel the connection with the fans,” McKennie told reporters after the match with Australia.
Chris Richards said the song is engrained into American identity.
“Part of being American is knowing ‘Country Roads,’” the defender said that afternoon. “We’re all singing it together.”
The global influence of ‘Country Roads’
The nostalgic tune transcends its geographical mentions as its call for home resonates with many around the world. Throughout the U.S., it is not uncommon for the song to be played regularly at sporting events with spectators belting out just as easy as if they were reciting the alphabet.
There’s perhaps no better place to sing the song than at a football stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia.
While the song made its mark in the hearts of Americans, the world has also celebrated the anthem through the years.
Just last year, Manchester United officially adopted the song, adapting its lyrics to fit the team.
“Take me home, United Road, to the place, I belong. To Old Trafford, to see United, take me home, United Road,” are the lyrics belted out at every game.
According to the club, Denver’s song has been an anthem for the team “across many decades.”
Club captain Bruno Fernandes said the decision to play the song was due to its popularity.
“It’s a song that everyone knows in the dressing room, so it’s a popular song for us in the dressing room, and the understanding we had from the outside was that it’s one of the most popular songs for the club,” he said.
Origins of ‘Country Roads’
As much as the lyrics draw listeners to West Virginia, the song’s origins actually belong to Maryland. Bill Danoff, who co-wrote the song, said the idea came as he was driving to a family gathering in Maryland, per The Associated Press.
“I just started thinking, country roads, I started thinking of me growing up in Western New England and going on all these small roads,” Danoff told Washington’s WRC-TV in 2020. “It didn’t have anything to do with Maryland or anyplace.”
The global phenomenon was almost never associated with its eventual singer, Denver.
Danoff and Taffy Nivert planned to sell it to renowned country legend Johnny Cash, but after playing an unfinished version to Denver, he convinced the two to let him record it. After some assistance with the lyrics and bridge, Denver recorded what would be his biggest hit.
Favorites from other countries
Among other countries represented at the World Cup, songs like “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC for Czech Republic, “Wonderful” by Travis Scott for Canada, and “Take Me To America” by Salvatore Ganacci for Bosnia and Herzegovina were selected as part of their list of songs.
Below is Bosnia’s choice song.
Another World Cup favorite is Scotland’s “Yes Sir, I can Boogie” by Baccara.
A full list of original song submissions can be viewed from The Athletic.