World Cup Music Matchup: What Are The Top Songs In Each Of The Remaining Nations?

Like all of its predecessors, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has brilliantly highlighted some of the best soccer from around the globe, but while footy will always be front in center, World Cups are also about sharing cultures and motivating people from all walks of life to interact with one another. Every four years presents an opportunity for individuals from a multitude of lands to exchange thoughts and beliefs, expanding their world view while also indulging in the best their cherished sport has to offer. Food, drink and, of course, the arts all play a significant role in molding the identity of a nation, so, ahead of the quarterfinals, we’re looking at the matchups through the lens of pop culture, specifically the top songs in each country, courtesy of Shazam.

“Lift Me Up” by Rihanna (Croatia) vs. “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga (Brazil)

We all know Barbados native Rihanna is the chanteuse responsible for a myriad of chart-topping hits over the years, but when Ryan Coogler approached her to do a track for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the epic sequel to the original Chadwick Boseman vehicle, she delivered an emotional ballad the likes of which we haven’t seen since Céline Deon’s “My Heat Will Go On” from James Cameron’s Titanic. While RiRi's "Lift Me Up" claims the top spot for Croatia, another familiar pop icon comes in at number one for Brazil: Lady Gaga. Equally impressive with her musical repertoire, Gaga’s another music industry titan who consistently delivers best-in-class ear worms – “Telephone,” “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face” to name a few – and her hit “Bloody Mary,” off 2011's "Born This Way" album and the currently the subject of a global TikTok meme, is no different.    

“Talet Lghiba” by Mocci (Morocco) vs. “La Bachata” by Manuel Turizo (Portugal)  

Though the Tangier-born artist Mocci doesn’t have the same caliber of track record as the two legendary Grammy award-winning women above, his hit song “Talet Lghiba” is lighting up the charts of his native country Morocco – a badge of honor for any artist. Conversely, Colombian singer Manuel Turizo has amassed a 9 million-person army of YouTube subscribers, elevating him into the pop music stratosphere, and his video for Portugal’s top Shazam’d song “La Bachata” has been viewed nearly 300 million times. A fun outlier on Portugal’s top-10 list is James Morrison’s piano-centric cover of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” featured in the hit 80’s cult favorite film The Breakfast Club by director John Hughes.   

“Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot)” by Claude (Netherlands) vs.”Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga (Argentina)

“Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot)” from French singer Claude takes the cake for the Netherlands, seamlessly infusing smooth lyrics with a vibrant R&B beat to create a catchy dance anthem sure to make some restless hips shake in Qatar. While the Lady Gaga also owns the top Shazam trackd in Argentina for “Bloody Mary,” coming in at number five for Argentina is a true club anthem, “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” by Bzarrap & Quevedo. The track’s inspirational power beat is the perfect closing credits jam for the next entry in the Vin Diesel-led Fast & Furious franchise or, if you need some booty-shaking fuel up in da club, this’ll definitely get your tail feathers moving.  

“Miss You” by Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz (England) vs. “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga (France)

When covers, raps and anthems aren’t enough to get your blood pumping, England’s top song on the Shazam chart “Miss You” by Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz certainly will likely do the trick. Born in Germany, Schulz has been gifting the world booming EDM bangers ever since he ascended the DJ throne in 2014 with his debut album Prayer. While William and Kate probably aren’t grooving to “Miss You” at Kensington Palace, it’s easy to see why the rest of England is. Since Gaga again tops the Shazam chart for L’hexagone, we’re taking a listen to France’s second-most Shazam’d song in “The Loneliest” by Måneskin. Originally from Rome, Italy, the talented rockers burst onto the music scene after winning the 2021 EuroVision contest, and since then, they’ve been consistently generating alternative rock hits with heavy guitar licks and raw vocals. Most likely, you’ll recognize their fast-paced “Beggin’,” a cover that surprisingly originates from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  

Curious to know which song boasts the top spot for Shazams in the United States? While you might be tempted to go ahead and crown the “Paparazzi” vocalist the victor, pump the breaks. That title belongs to the singer-songwriter Zach Bryan and his folk ballad “The Good I’ll Do.”

Can't get enough soccer action? When the World Cup ends, watch Premier League coverage on USA Network, featuring Premier League Mornings, select matches, and Premier League Goal Zone (check listings for games/schedule). And catch up on all the action on Peacock.