The United States men’s national team adopted John Denver’s 1971 hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as a postgame anthem during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Players and tens of thousands of fans sang the song after victories against Australia on June 19 and Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1.
How FIFA and US Soccer launched the tradition
The surge of “Country Roads” in stadiums wasn’t an organic accident. According to The Athletic, FIFA officials specifically added the song to their postgame playlist options to foster a shared emotional moment between the U.S. team and its supporters.
The tradition debuted on June 19 in Seattle following a 2-0 win over Australia. That victory marked the first time the U.S. won its first two World Cup matches since 1930. The scale of the response was measurable; U.S. Soccer reported that nearly 67,000 fans sang the song, while the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network actually registered activity from the stadium during the game.
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter described the energy as “insane,” telling U.S. Soccer that the chanting and the specific act of singing “Country Roads” felt “pretty special.”
The impact on Coach Pochettino and the roster
The anthem has bridged the gap for the team’s leadership, including coach Mauricio Pochettino. Born in Argentina and residing in Spain, Pochettino took over the U.S. team in 2024. Following the July 1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Pochettino joined the players and staff in belting out the lyrics.
The emotional weight of the atmosphere resonated with the coach despite his own nationality.
“Even if I’m not American, after the game I was emotional because the atmosphere was amazing, the fans were amazing. The warm reception and the way that they support us and celebrated the victory, they make you feel very emotional.”
Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Coach
On the field, the players have leaned into the role of performers. During the Santa Clara match, Weston McKennie appeared to conduct the crowd as the song played over the speakers. The celebration occurred after a gritty 2-0 win where the U.S. had to play with 10 men after Folarin Balogun received a red card. Malik Tillman secured the result with an 82nd-minute free kick.
The song’s origins beyond West Virginia
Take Me Home Country Roads – USMNT Anthem
While the song is inextricably linked to West Virginia, its creation was more eclectic. Cowriter Bill Danoff told the Associated Press that the inspiration actually came from a drive along Maryland’s Clopper Road to attend a family reunion in Gaithersburg.
Danoff’s connection to the region was an amalgamation of influences rather than a direct residence:
Appalachian music from Wheeling, West Virginia’s WWVA radio station.
The influence of West Virginia-born actor Chris Sarandon.
Interactions with members of a West Virginian commune who attended his gigs.
Memories of growing up in western New England.
Danoff and cowriter Taffy Nivert originally considered selling the song to Johnny Cash. However, they played an unfinished version for their friend John Denver, who convinced them to let him record it. Released in 1971, it became Denver’s most successful hit.
Reactions from the John Denver estate
The revival of the track on a global stage has drawn praise from those who knew Denver. Bill Danoff noted that Denver, who died in a plane crash in 1997, would have loved the drama of the recent victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It was such an exciting game — they were down a player with a red card, but they still won. I thought, ‘Gee, I wish John was still here.’ John got super excited about stuff like that, and it would have been fun to watch that game with him.”
Bill Danoff, “Country Roads” cowriter
The John Denver estate expressed that they are “thrilled” by the World Cup revival. They argued that the song’s longevity stems from a message that “transcends geography,” noting that the lyrics are “simple, clear, and relatable.” The estate emphasized that the sentiment of returning to the place one belongs is not limited to the borders of West Virginia.
What happens next for the USMNT
The “Country Roads” phenomenon is now a psychological asset for the team as they move deeper into the tournament. The U.S. has successfully navigated the Round of 32, and the momentum from the Santa Clara victory carries them into the Round of 16.
The team is scheduled to face Belgium on Monday in Seattle. Given that the tradition began in Seattle during the Australia match, the return to that city provides a full-circle moment for the players and the supporters who first turned the folk-pop hit into a sporting anthem.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
