Grading Every 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City Theme Song | OneFootball

In preparation for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA enlisted 16 artists to create a version of the tournament’s theme song for each host city. We went through them all to give each one a grade.

We are nearly a year away from the 2026 World Cup, and the hype train is officially rolling. Of course, there’s extra excitement in the United States since the tournament will be played in 11 cities across the country along with three in Mexico and two in Canada.

To commemorate the first time that three countries will be hosting the World Cup, FIFA created the SonicID campaign, which tapped music artists from each host city to remix the official World Cup theme in a style that embraces the culture and traditions of their hometown.

There’s a wide range of sounds representing the vibrant diversity from sunny Mexico City to gritty New York and the fresh air of Vancouver.

FIFA selected critically acclaimed and decorated musicians, including Grammy Award-winners and producers for artists like Drake, TLC, and the Gorillaz. No matter what they’ve accomplished so far in their careers, each artist expressed how meaningful being a part of the World Cup experience is.

“I’m so grateful and honored for this opportunity,” said LAFC supporter DJ Flict in a promotional video for his track representing Los Angeles. “I would have never thought or predicted that I’d be producing the FIFA World Cup anthem.”

Grayson Repp, who crafted Vancouver’s remix, DJ’d at the 2022 World Cup and said how inclusion in the upcoming tournament was special in its own right.

“I think it was an incredible new experience,” he said in an interview with CBC Radio. “It’s the first time FIFA’s ever done an album like this and I hope that they continue in the future because it shines a spotlight on each city, each culture, and that’s what we need more of right now.”

Urban Pitch listened to each of the 16 World Cup SonicID songs and gave our review.

Guadalajara World Cup SonicID by Bautista

🔗 Spotify

Guadalajara is home to one of Liga MX’s most popular clubs, Chivas. The town has plenty of history and culture and was given a vibrant theme song by house producer Bautista. The horns and echoing yelps ground the song in the traditional music of the area while the buildup to a throbbing bass makes it modern. It’s quite good.

Grade: B+

San Francisco Bay Area World Cup SonicID by Dan The Automator

🔗 Spotify

Dan The Automator has built his career by bending genres through his own work and collaborating with Damon Albarn for the Gorillaz. His interpretation of the 2026 World Cup song for his hometown of San Francisco is no different. The track blends mega wooshes of bass with gentle strings for a very cinematic feel. Even if this doesn’t scream “San Francisco” and follow the Oakland Roots’ model of unashamedly representing the Bay Area, the chime of public transportation and the fog horn at the end are a decent exclamation point.

Grade: C

Boston World Cup SonicID by Berklee College of Music

🔗 Spotify

Boston’s 2026 FIFA World Cup song celebrates the area’s Irish heritage with a rock twist paying homage to the Dropkick Murphys and Aerosmith. It was created by two students from the renowned Berklee College of Music, Ben Zakharenko and Dayvin. It’s cool to see how the SonicID project is not just lip service, but is really connecting with the community.

Grade: A

Dallas World Cup SonicID by Tre Nagella

🔗 Spotify

When most people think of Dallas sports, the first team that most likely comes to mind is America’s team, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. But FC Dallas is making a name for itself in the Lone Star State. Grammy-winning producer Tre Nagella channeled his work with country stars Blake Shelton and Pat Green to create a song that has just enough twang blended with a cinematic soundscape that would be right at home in a Marvel movie. It’s not quite “Texas” by Big XthaPlug, but it does the job.

Grade: B

Los Angeles World Cup SonicID by DJ Flict

🔗 Spotify

Is the Los Angeles World Cup song dynamic? Yes, totally. But does it scream “Los Angeles?” Kind of. DJ Flict, who is a big part of the LAFC community and even wrote their anthem, “Do It For LA,” uses the first half of his creation to embody Hollywood cinema. The track then has a little sprinkle of West Coast bounce reminiscent of a DJ Mustard beat, and then some horns to pay tribute to mariachi and the city’s Mexican heritage. But the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, LAFC, and Angel City FC has such a rich music history and distinctive sound, and this track feels a bit flat.

Grade: C-

Vancouver World Cup SonicID by Grayson Repp

🔗 Spotify

The Vancouver World Cup song does a fantastic job of embracing the native culture of the area. Grayson Repp was the head DJ and music director of the 2022 World Cup and is back representing his roots with a mission to get people dancing. He worked with the Musqueam Indian Band, the Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation to craft his track and it’s the feel-good song we all need.

Grade: B+

Monterrey World Cup SonicID by Toy Selectah

🔗 Spotify

Toy Selectah had quite a job on his hands to unite a city that is typically divided in terms of soccer allegiance between Tigres and CF Monterrey. The veteran DJ really impressed. The cumbia foundation is solid and the sweet tinge of the accordion carries the middle of the track before the tempo picks up. This one is irresistibly danceable.

Grade: A

Toronto World Cup SonicID by Hill Kourkoutis

🔗 Spotify

Toronto’s World Cup remix was the only one created by a solo woman artist. JUNO Award-winning producer Hill Kourkoutis set out to exemplify the diversity of The 6. She infused elements from India and East Asia into the track and closed it out with the sound of the TTC subway train for the cherry on top. While this one might not be super different, it has enough nuance that should make locals proud.

Grade: B

Mexico City World Cup SonicID by Mexican Institute Of Sound

🔗 Spotify

As soon as you press play, you know this World Cup song is from Mexico. Award-winning composer Camilo Lara, who worked on the soundscapes for Coco, A Million Miles Away and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, crafted the track under his Mexican Institute of Sound project. He made sure the strings are lively throughout. The horns add depth and yeah, it’s simply perfect.

Grade: A+

Miami World Cup SonicID by Mr. NaisGai

🔗 Spotify

Puerto Rican producer Mr. NaisGai (what an awesome name, right?) was given the task of representing the vibrant city of Miami, which is now home to the icon that is Lionel Messi. So the stakes are high. The song has a breezy tone that initially feels more Fort Lauderdale than South Beach or Calle Ocho. But it picks up about two-thirds of the way through with some synths and drums. Perhaps the video for the 305 is one of the best as the song gets livelier as the sun sets over the water and the city lights start to shine. But we are grading the actual song, which doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Grade: C

Atlanta World Cup SonicID by Dallas Austin

🔗 Spotify

A casual music fan might expect anything Atlanta-related in the 2020s to be totally trapped out, but Dallas Austin’s rendition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup song paints a broader picture of the city’s rich music history. The track is grounded by snare drums to give it a marching band feel. Austin, who has won a Grammy Award and worked with TLC, Boyz II Men and Gwen Stefani, was a co-producer on Drumline after all. There is a bit of a drum kit in the middle to bring some hip-hop flair and the “A-T-L” chants make this one impossible to miss what it’s representing. Atlanta United is a club who fully embraces the music culture of the city and this song will continue the love affair throughout next summer.

Grade: B

Kansas City World Cup SonicID by Tech N9ne

🔗 Spotify

Kansas City definitely has one of the best 2026 FIFA World Cup songs. Who is more Kansas City than Tech N9ne? It’s only right he got the nod to put on for the home of Sporting Kansas City and the groundbreaking Kansas City Current, and he delivered. The beat is a little more pop than the independent rap titan is used to laying his fierce lyricism over. But he fits in really well. We love how he showcases a bit of a melodic side (“All we gotta do is visualize it, together as a team living the brightest”), and his mantra to “go through” whatever obstacle is in your way is truly motivational.

Grade: A

Seattle World Cup SonicID by Sango

🔗 Spotify

Prolific producer Sango, whose resume includes the Moments Spent Loving You collaborative album with Xavier Omär, “Amen” on Drake’s For All The Dogs, and a tour with Kaytranada, was tapped to do the World Cup theme for Seattle. The song sprinkles in some Native influences, including heavy drums and chants. The city is home to the Seattle Sounders, who have cultivated one of the best soccer communities in the country. It’s also the birthplace of grunge music and, even though we definitely support and love the celebration of Native culture, there was a bit of a missed opportunity here to combine multiple elements of the city’s identity.

Grade: C

New York/New Jersey World Cup SonicID by Take A Daytrip

🔗 Spotify

The New York/New Jersey theme is raw and gritty, just like New York City. Production duo Take A Daytrip has crafted megahits like Sheck Wes’ “Mo Bamba,” Lil Nas X’s “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” and also hidden gems like Vince Staples’ “Home” off the Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse soundtrack. But perhaps working on a song for the World Cup is going to be their widest reach yet. They infused elements like scratching, some sharp drums, and a heavy bass line that hits you in the chest like 100 weighted vests. The result is something that reminds everyone where hip-hop was born. It’s expected, but we’re happy with it.

Grade: B

Houston World Cup SonicID by Bombón

🔗 Spotify

Houston went with a strong rock edge for its 2026 World Cup song. The track was created by Bombón, a local DJ collective that prides itself in spreading the love of cumbia. The Latin flavor isn’t as strong here as in other songs, but there is a nice sprinkle of the city’s rich hip-hop history via a little chopped and screwed moment with vocals that say, “This that Houston, baby.” And the Bun B cameo in front of Trill Burgers for the video is really cool. If you’re ever in Space City, the restaurant is a must-try. But again, we are grading the song, and this one just didn’t resonate.

Grade: C-

Philadelphia World Cup SonicID by DJ Jazzy Jeff

🔗 Spotify

In West Philadelphia born and raised… you know how it goes! FIFA enlisted the one and only DJ Jazzy Jeff to remix the 2026 World Cup song for Philadelphia and it is so good. It is funky fresh and the horns in the middle take this to another level. Jazzy Jeff said he wanted to pay tribute to groundbreaking duo Gamble and Huff who helped establish Philly’s soul scene in the ’70s. We must say he did them proud because this is dripping with heart and soul.

Grade: A+