Why is "Wonderwall" The English Soccer Team's World Cup Anthem?

One of the most iconic videos from the aftermath of England's 2-1 victory over Norway in the World Cup quarterfinals was watching the players gather and sing along to the classic Oasis hit song "Wonderwall". It felt like a special type of unifying moment that doesn't happen very often in sports or in any sort of patriotic setting.

The song is one of the best of the 1990s, an example of the decade's unique style of rock and a showcase for the talent of the Gallagher brothers. But why exactly is it being played after every English victory? Besides the fact that Oasis is an English band, it leaves some curious about what significance it serves to embolden the soccer team and the nation throughout the tournament.

Noel Gallagher talked about his interpretation of the song's association with the team's run to the semi-finals and why people are feeling the connection between the two.

"Football is about community and camaraderie and everybody being together in the moment, and those kinds of songs are perfect for it," he says.

"The ultimate choir is a football terrace, because it's a lot of people who can't really sing, singing together and in harmony. That's quite a beautiful thing."

Why is it perfect, though? The song isn't necessarily about any one thing or person. The brothers have spoken before about how the lyrics allude to an imaginary friend saving you, but even that concept is cloudy. The lack of clarity on the meaning of the song outside of soccer makes it even harder to label why it has any significance in soccer.

It's looking like there's really no meaning behind the song's inclusion besides the fact that it was an English song chosen to be played after the games. It's as simple as that, and there's really no deeper meaning. It evokes deep emotions that are hard to describe, but can be felt by everyone in the stadium and at home. That's the magic of good music.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 5:33 PM.