Country Roads Surges Ahead in Global Soccer Tournament
The U.S. men’s national team selected John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as its post‑match anthem after FIFA requested playlist options from participating teams. The song played at the conclusion of the 2‑0 win over Australia in Seattle on Friday, where almost 67,000 fans joined in. U.S. Soccer announced the choice as part of its celebratory set.
U.S. Soccer said the decision aimed to highlight American artists that would serve well for crowd sing‑alongs. Alongside the Denver track, “Livin’ On a Prayer” was approved; “Sweet Caroline” was omitted because England had already used it.
The chant quickly spread to other match venues, with videos from Atlanta and Boston showing spectators singing after the track stopped. Some social‑media users noted the song’s role in fostering camaraderie among fans. The melody remains a globally recognized and frequently performed tune.
Some observers raised concerns about politicizing the song, citing Denver’s activism and the estate’s requests that candidates refrain from using it. The estate previously urged that political candidates refrain from using the music after a 2016 incident in which a rally featured the track.