Why England Celebrates World Cup Wins by Singing Wonderwall
During the 2026 World Cup, many teams introduced unique traditions, but England's choice to sing the Oasis hit "Wonderwall" after victories has caught plenty of attention. The band, hailing from Manchester, is closely tied to the English squad’s celebrations. After every win, the England players lock arms and sing alongside their supporters in a moment that feels both intimate and powerful.
The crowd's cheers following the song confirm its popularity, stretching well beyond England’s borders. At the time of writing, "Wonderwall" tops the United Kingdom’s Spotify charts, showing just how much the song resonates during this tournament.
How Wonderwall Became England’s Song
England’s team submitted several songs to FIFA before the tournament started, with "Wonderwall" among them, as reported by USA TODAY. Teams had been asked to provide playlists for different match moments like warmups and celebrations. Alongside "Wonderwall," England also chose "Sweet Caroline."
Captain Harry Kane called singing the song one of his favorite moments wearing the Three Lions shirt. He described the post-match ritual as an emotional connection between the players and fans, saying it meant a lot to everyone involved.
"One of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt," Kane said. "It was an emotional connection with the fans. We see how much it means to them and they see how much it means to us."
Noel Gallagher, part of Oasis, told The Sun via the BBC that "Wonderwall belongs to the people," describing the singing as a magical moment bridging fans and players. His brother Liam also voiced his support on social media after England reached the semifinals.
About Oasis and Their Music
Oasis, the band behind "Wonderwall," formed in Manchester with their first gig in 1991 at the Boardwalk club. The current lineup includes Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul Arthurs, Gem Archer, and Andy Bell.
Lyrics to Wonderwall
Today is gonna be the day That they're gonna throw it back to you By now, you should've somehow Realised what you gotta do I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do about you now Backbeat, the word is on the street That the fire in your heart is out I'm sure you've heard it all before But you never really had a doubt I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do about you now And all the roads we have to walk are winding And all the lights that lead us there are blinding There are many things that I would like to say to you But I don't know how Because maybe You're gonna be the one that saves me And after all You're my wonderwall
Today was gonna be the day But they'll never throw it back to you By now, you should've somehow Realised what you're not to do I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do about you now And all the roads that lead you there were winding And all the lights that light the way are blinding There are many things that I would like to say to you But I don't know how I said maybe You're gonna be the one that saves me And after all You're my wonderwall I said maybe (I said maybe) You're gonna be the one that saves me And after all You're my wonderwall I said maybe (I said maybe) You're gonna be the one that saves me (That saves me) You're gonna be the one that saves me (That saves me) You're gonna be the one that saves me (That saves me)
Moments Shared Between Players and Fans
Following each victory, England's squad gathers in front of their supporters, joining voices to sing "Wonderwall." This shared experience has become a hallmark of their World Cup journey. For instance, after the tough extra-time win against Norway in the quarterfinals, the players and fans united in song, creating a memorable scene.
Andrew Gitto covers sports and has a passion for teams like the Knicks, Mets, Jets, and Manchester United. He joined Sporting News in early 2026 and keeps a close eye on big moments like this.
