Backlash erupts after Ishowspeed releases unauthorized song for 2026 World Cup

Darren Watkins Jr, known to his fans as IShowSpeed, has sent shockwaves through the global football community with the release of his song "World Cup (Champions)", which he claims is a tournament anthem.

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The music video, which premiered on YouTube on June 1, garnered over 3.3 million views and hundreds of thousands of likes in under 24 hours, a testament to its instant popularity.

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The high-energy track features infectious crowd chants from various footballing nations, with a special focus on Ghana, a country where Watkins holds honorary citizenship, complete with traditional dancers and massive flags.

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Following the video's viral success, Watkins tagged the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) on social media, requesting that his song be adopted as the official tournament melody.

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In a surprise response, FIFA's verified handle replied, "We will be in touch", leaving many to speculate about the possibility of Watkins' song being adopted.

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The development has sparked intense debates online, with fans and commentators comparing IShowSpeed's indie anthem to the official FIFA soundtrack, "Goals", by Lisa, Anitta, and Rema, ahead of the tournament's kick-off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Reacting to the video, @yetunede praised Watkins' cultural representation, saying, "IShowSpeed putting Ghana on his back for this World Cup video is everything", and commending the energy, flags, and dancers featured in the song.

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Another commentator, @hindisilencio, echoed this sentiment, stating, "FIFA needs to stop overcomplicating things and just make this the official anthem", citing the song's impressive views as evidence of its popularity.

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However, the song's raw, chaotic style drew criticism from some in the music community, who defended the artistic merit of the official soundtrack, "Goals".

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@Danyflamez3 tweeted, "People comparing this Speed video to Rema, Lisa, and Anitta's 'Goals' must be joking", highlighting the difference in production quality between the two songs.

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@lawizzygotswag raised concerns over FIFA's response, stating, "FIFA saying 'we will be in touch' is hilarious but risky", and warning against sidelining established artists in favor of a viral video.

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As of the time of filing this report, FIFA has yet to release an official press statement regarding any changes to its musical lineup or opening ceremony schedule.