What is the 1971 Country Music Hit Uniting America During the 2026 World Cup?
Soccer isn't exactly the most popular sport in America. Still, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place across North America this summer, fans are starting to catch on to the world's most popular game.
The United States also seems to have a pretty good team this year. They are a perfect 2-0 in Group D play right now after defeating Australia by a score of 2-0 on Friday afternoon in Seattle. It was a gorgeous scene replete with fans singing a classic John Denver song after the match as a way of unifying patriotism.
Crowd sings 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' after Team USA advances to the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup pic.twitter.com/RkXkzNqpFu
— Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) June 19, 2026
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" was a No. 2 hit for Denver in late August 1971. It was deemed so significant that it was placed in the National Recording Registry in 2023. But what about this classic country track makes it perfect for the World Cup and American patriotism?
The single has always been symbolic of small-town America, and the wilderness that makes up the forgotten parts of our nation. West Virginia recognizes it as a state anthem, but the message and the lyrics of Denver's song poignantly represent the United States at its purest.
Billboard ranked it the 61st best country song of all time in 2025.
"It's surely harder to find someone who hasn't sat around a campfire swaying and singing this song than someone who has. There's a comforting ubiquity in it, and despite becoming one of West Virginia's four official state anthems, "Country Roads" has come to symbolize the idea of home for anyone from anywhere."
Rolling Stone ranked it the 94th best country song of all time, and the publication gave some interesting backstory about how none of the writers of the song actually come from West Virginia. This proves the song's ability to resonate with all Americans, no matter where they hail from.
"Neither Denver nor the song had anything to do with the place. Written by New England native Bill Danoff, his D.C.-born partner Taffy Nivert, and Denver (who hailed from Roswell, New Mexico), "Take Me Home …" was conceived while Danoff and Nivert were driving down Clopper Road in Maryland, which caused Danoff to reminisce about his home state. But West Virginia seemed to fit the song better."
Over 50 years later, the iconic song has now transformed into a soccer anthem. We wonder what country roads it will take us down in the next 50 years after this!
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 11:18 AM.