Wonderwall becomes England's unofficial World Cup anthem

At the 2026 World Cup, Wonderwall by Oasis has been spontaneously adopted by England fans and players as their unofficial anthem, creating a powerful emotional connection. The tradition began on 17 June after England's 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas, Texas, when fans began singing the 1995 hit and players, including Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon, joined in. Captain Harry Kane described it as 'one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt' Source: BBC. The song has since been sung after all three of England's wins in the US, including their knockout victory over DR Congo in Atlanta.

The adoption of Wonderwall has been embraced by both Noel and Liam Gallagher. Noel told the Sun, 'Wonderwall belongs to the people, and it was a magical moment between the people and the players' Source: Euronews. Liam tweeted, 'Cmon England cmon Wonderwall' Source: BBC.

What makes Wonderwall work as a terrace anthem? Author PJ Harrison notes the ambiguity of its lyrics and simple melody allow fans to project their own meaning onto the song Source: The Guardian. The nostalgia factor also plays a role, as many travelling fans associate the mid-90s with youth and optimism Source: The Guardian. This new tradition has replaced previous anthems like Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline', and fans hope it can provide an extra spark for the team's tournament run.