John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has become the unofficial anthem of the 2026 US Men’s National Soccer Team, echoing through packed stadiums as the Americans advance deeper into the World Cup than they have in more than two decades.
On Wednesday, July 1, the USMNT defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32 — the first Knockout Round of an expanded 48-team tournament — marking the program’s first knockout-stage victory since 2002. The win was made more remarkable by the fact that the US played more than 30 minutes shorthanded after leading scorer Folarin Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute, yet the defense held firm and kept a clean sheet. The team now advances to the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6, where they will face Belgium, ranked ninth in the world.
A Country Roads Tradition Takes Hold
The song’s role in this run began earlier in the tournament. After defeating Australia 2-0 in the Group Stage — making it the first time the US had won its opening two World Cup matches — players led a 69,000-strong crowd at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington in a full-throated singalong to “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Fans called it one of the most memorable moments of the tournament so far.
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter described the experience to Sports Illustrated: “Singing that song was one of the highlights of this whole tournament so far. Belting that out, it just felt so American in that moment and with the guys on the team singing, that was really cool.”
ABSOLUTE GOOSEBUMPS AS THE ENTIRE STADIUM SINGS ‘TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS’ WITH THE USMNT PLAYERS AFTER THE WIN AGAINST AUSTRALIA
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 19, 2026
The scene repeated itself after the Bosnia and Herzegovina victory at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, when the classic began blasting through the speakers the moment the final whistle blew. Players circled the field waving to supporters and urged everyone to sing along — including Argentine head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was spotted bellowing the lyrics at full volume. “When that song plays, it’s impossible not to sing along because it’s incredible, but I’m still 200% Argentine,” Pochettino said at the post-match press conference.
Why “Take Me Home, Country Roads” Won Out
The choice was deliberate. FIFA asked each of the 48 competing nations to select a song to play on scoring and after victories, and the US squad prioritized picking something the crowd already knew by heart. The shortlist reportedly came down to “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The team ruled out “Sweet Caroline” because of its long association with England as a celebration song, and the John Denver classic ultimately won the vote.
Defender Auston Trusty explained the reasoning plainly: “It’s just being proud of your country. I think ‘Country Roads’ is a very American song. To hear that in the stadium, everyone was singing along — everyone. If you’re American, you probably know that song, so everyone’s singing and celebrating the win, and you’re smiling and happy with your teammates. It’s a dream come true.”
The US team’s best-ever World Cup finish remains a Quarterfinal appearance in 2002, where they fell to Germany. With Belgium standing between them and the Quarterfinals on July 6, another chorus of “Country Roads” — and potentially history — could be on the way.
