John Denver’s homage to West Virginia made its triumphant return to the World Cup on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California after Team USA’s inspirational 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
‘Almost heaven…,’ American fans at Levi’s Stadium began singing as Mauricio Pochettino’s players and even the Argentinian-born coach joined in the camaraderie.
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Antonee Robinson were all seen clapping and singing along to the 1971 classic, ‘Take Me Home Country Roads.’
The USMNT adopted it at the request of FIFA, which asked all national teams to come up with playlists for various match moments, such as pre-match warmups, goals and victory celebrations. USA Today reported that US Soccer did consult its players about the playlist.
Other chosen songs for post-match victories included Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on a Prayer’ and Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline,’ the latter of which was scrapped because of its unofficial association with English soccer fans.
In the end, FIFA World Cup 2026 chief business and strategy officer Amy Hopfinger made the call for the US to go with Country Roads.
Weston McKennie (8) and Christian Pulisic (10) celebrate with John Denver’s 1971 classic
Malik Tillman #17 and Tim Ream #13 embrace after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-0
Even Argentine-born Mauricio Pochettino was seen singing along to Country Roads
Despite the song lyrics, neither Denver nor his co-composers came from West Virginia
The familiar tune famously serves as West Virginia’s official song despite the fact that composers Denver, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert all hailed from other states. But while it’s celebrated by West Virginians, many of whom use its lyrics for everything from boat names to passwords, it’s also considered a symbol of small-town America.
Soccer fans were naturally enthusiastic about Fox’s decision to show the post-game celebration at Levi’s Stadium.
‘Really good job Fox, just letting it play,’ one wrote. ‘Thank you.’
‘Country Roads is the World’s National Anthem!’ another added. ‘West Virginia is so proud.’
And many were thrilled to see Pochettino singing along to the words in his second (or third) language.
‘Poch even singing along to Take Me Home Country Road (sic) was golden,’ one fan wrote on X.
