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

Former pro soccer player and Seattle Sounders chaplain Jesse Bradley discusses the U.S. Men's National Team's historic start at the 2026 World Cup, winning its first two group stage matches since 1930. Bradley emphasizes the team's inspiring public faith, leading to Bible studies and prayer after games, and how it unites Americans through soccer, a sport now surging in popularity.

As the U.S. men’s national soccer team heard the final whistle blow at Lumen Field this past Friday, they also heard thousands in the sold-out crowd cheering and singing following a 2-0 victory over Australia that punched their ticket to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

But there was one specific song that rained down from the stands and onto the pitch: "Take Me Home, Country Roads," famously sang by John Denver.

There’s an origin story behind why that song specifically was chosen for the moment where Team USA wins a World Cup match. FIFA actually asked teams to submit potential playlists for warmups, goals and wins.

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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,