The FIFA World Cup 2026 fever is all set to take centre stage as the globe gets ready for football’s biggest carnival. Talk of the town is who is performing the FIFA World Cup song, while the eyes always stay on Shakira, who has been dazzling for years; it is not the story this year. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Shakira has been given a run for her money by YouTube influencer IShowSpeed, who is stealing the spotlight.
IShowSpeed vs Shakira
YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed has unexpectedly surged into the 2026 FIFA World Cup spotlight following the release of his new track, “World Cup (Champions).” Dropping just weeks before the tournament kicks off across North America on June 11, the song has become an instant viral sensation. Within hours, it gained massive traction across X, TikTok, and Instagram, with many listeners claiming it captures the spirit of the event better than this year’s official FIFA anthems.
🚨| BREAKING: IShowSpeed’s World Cup song surpassed Shakira’s official World Cup song in viral popularity.😳 pic.twitter.com/ivUbbza6Tl
— Football Time | 𝐅𝐓 (@FootbalTimeX) June 2, 2026
The response has been overwhelming, particularly on X, where the teaser surpassed 36 million views, racking up nearly 300,000 likes. Fans have flooded social media with praise for the song’s high-energy vibe, with some even calling on FIFA to adopt it as an official track to better connect with younger audiences.
FIFA gets ready for the carnival
On Tuesday, FIFA confirmed squads for all 48 teams as they geared up for the tournament. The final squad lists for the FIFA World Cup 202 were published by FIFA, representing one of the tournament’s most exciting milestones with just nine days to go until kick-off. With 48 teams and 1,248 players made available to take to the pitch across 104 matches in Canada, Mexico and the United States, this edition represents a watershed moment for the global game, opening the door to more nations, players and their fans than ever before.
The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game.
The generational breadth is equally striking, with over 25 years separating the oldest player (Scotland’s Craig Gordon at 43 years and 162 days old) from the youngest (Mexico’s Gilberto Mora at 17 years and 240 days old). A total of 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or above at the start of the tournament could feature, whilst 22 FIFA World Cup winners are returning to the global stage.
