FIFA Anthem


The "FIFA Anthem" or "FIFA Hymn" is an instrumental song played at the beginning of FIFA-sponsored events, such as futsal and association football matches and tournaments, usually as the participants enter the playing area. Occasionally there have been instances where a different song has been used in its place; in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Vangelis' "Anthem" was used and in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes was used.

History

1990s

It was first played at the 1994 World Cup. It was composed by Franz Lambert, and is instrumental with no lyrics. It was arranged by Rob May and Simon Hill.

2000s

In 2004, the song was rearranged and re-recorded with improved acoustics by Gota Yashiki and it is this version that is currently used by FIFA before the start of matches. It was used in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, though the 1994 version was used at the 2006 one.

2010s

In 2018, FIFA commissioned Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe to compose a new theme to be used at 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The theme, named "Living Football" to coincide with FIFA's new slogan, was played before every World Cup match, as the volunteers began to unveil the giant 2018 FIFA World Cup logo at the pitch, along with the flags of the two nations in every match. The "FIFA Anthem" itself - which always played when the players walked out onto the stadium pitch, was replaced by "Seven Nation Army" of The White Stripes for that tournament. The trend has continued at all subsequent FIFA-sanctioned tournaments, including the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The "Living Football" theme was used again at the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup, which was held in the United Arab Emirates and also at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland and the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.