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 (like international friendlies, the FIFA World Cup or any other association football competitions), usually as the participants enter the playing area.[1] Occasionally, there have been instances where a different song has been used in its place, such as Vangelis' "Anthem" used at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

"FIFA Anthem"

Corporate anthem of FIFA
MusicFranz Lambert with arrangement by Rob May and Simon Hill, 1994 (re-arranged by Gota Yashiki in 2004)
Adopted1994 (re-arranged in 2004) until 2018 (original)
Audio sample
"FIFA Anthem" (post-2004 arrangement, snippet)

Since the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, a new anthem, "Living Football" is used as the entrance music when both teams' national flags and FIFA flags enter the ground.

Originally, "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes was used for the players entrance during FIFA final tournaments, but since the 2023 Women's World Cup, "Seven Nation Army" was replaced by the new official walkout theme, "BRING IT ON".[2]

History

edit

Early years (1994–2004)

edit

It was first played at the 1994 World Cup, composed by Franz Lambert and is completely instrumental with no lyrics.[3] Rob May and Simon Hill arranged it.[4][5][6]

Rearranged version (2004–2018)

edit

In 2004, the song was rearranged and re-recorded with improved acoustics by Gota Yashiki[7] and it is this version that is currently used by FIFA before the start of matches.[8] It was used in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, though the 1994 version was used at the final of the 2006 one.[9]

New anthem: Living Football (2018–present)

edit

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,[10] was played before every World Cup match, as the volunteers began to unveil the giant 2018 FIFA World Cup logo (replaced by a picture of the FIFA World Cup Trophy in the final) 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.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ FIFA.com
  2. ^ "Tones and I, BIA and Diarra Sylla team up for new FIFA World Cup walkout anthem". FIFA Official Website. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Blatter extends welcome to Congress". FIFA. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  4. ^ Kearney, Judith; Wood, Lesley; Teare, Richard (28 October 2015). Designing Inclusive Pathways with Young Adults: Learning and Development for a Better World. Springer. ISBN 9789463001571 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "FIFA's 113th foundation day: 10 things you should know about world football's governing body : Sports Arena". indiatoday.intoday.in. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  6. ^ ARCHIVE Sounds (24 August 2022). FIFA Anthem (1994) - Franz Lambert, Rob May & Simon Hill. Retrieved 22 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Gota Yashiki - Football Songs 2002". Discogs.
  8. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "World Cup 2006 Germany Final 選手入場 FIFA Anthem". YouTube.
  10. ^ "FIFA's new claim: "Living Football"". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019.