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U.S. Chooses “Country Roads” World Cup Anthem, Streams Jump 20%

7/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. team chose John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as its anthem for 2026 World Cup.
Amy Hopfinger, U.S. Soccer executive, submitted the song to FIFA, which approved it.
After the U.S. defeated Australia, Billboard reported streams rose to 1.7 million, a 20 percent increase.
The 1971 single, co-written by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, entering the National Recording Registry in 2023.

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Story summary

The U.S. team chose John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as its anthem for 2026 World Cup.
Amy Hopfinger, U.S. Soccer executive, submitted the song to FIFA, which approved it.
After the U.S. defeated Australia, Billboard reported streams rose to 1.7 million, a 20 percent increase.
The 1971 single, co-written by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, entering the National Recording Registry in 2023.