The World Cup is in full swing, with only a handful of matches left before the quarterfinals. The tournament has already delivered its share of drama, from Cape Verde’s fairytale run to Norway’s stunning win over Brazil and the row over Trump’s comments on the controversial red card against Folarin Balogun. Every four years, the competition also shines a spotlight on the best footballers on the planet, and some of them have surprising talents off the pitch, including a genuine gift for music.
The link between football and music is nothing new. From Ricky Martin’s “Cup of Life” to Shakira’s “Waka Waka,” some of the most memorable World Cup anthems have become global hits. Brazilian legend Pelé wrote songs in his spare time and kept releasing music into his eighties. Former Croatian defender Slaven Bilić, a 1998 World Cup player, performed in the heavy metal band Rawbau. And John Barnes, who in 1986 became the first Black player to represent England at a World Cup, rapped on official team anthems, including New Order’s “World in Motion” for the 1990 FIFA campaign.
Here are some players from the 2026 World Cup keeping that tradition alive with musical projects of their own.
Rafael Leão, Portugal
The Portuguese striker moved from Lille to AC Milan, where he signed a five-year deal, and is a regular for the national team. Between matches, he chases his musical dream as Way 45, rapping and singing over a blend of R&B, hip-hop and stripped-back trap. “There was always music at home,” he told Rolling Stone UK in 2023, recalling a DJ uncle and a father who sang, and a lifelong connection to hip-hop and its messages about growing up in the neighborhood.
As Way 45 he has released three albums: his debut “Beginning,” 2023’s “My Life in Each Verse,” and last year’s “12:12.” Many of his songs draw on his childhood in a small town outside Lisbon, giving the self-described shy footballer a way to express himself. He has said music means love to him, an escape from his problems and a form of self-discovery.
Alisson Becker, Brazil
The Brazilian goalkeeper, who grew up in Rio Grande do Sul, became one of the world’s most famous keepers and, at €62.5 million, the most expensive of all time when he joined Liverpool in 2018. Off the pitch he is a relaxed, family-oriented figure who enjoys singing and playing guitar. He is not chasing a Grammy, but he won fans over with an acoustic version of the terrace anthem “Allez, Allez, Allez” recorded with English singer-songwriter Jamie Webster. He has since shared clips of himself singing the song in the car with his child and with teammates, and has covered “Shallow” from A Star Is Born as well as O-Zone’s viral hit “Dragostea Din Tei.”
Memphis Depay, Netherlands
The Dutch striker caught the eye of scouts at just eight years old, but he has always been a devoted music fan and a big supporter of American hip-hop. In 2017 he gave his musical ambitions free rein with a freestyle video called “LA Vibes,” which pulled in around 150,000 views within hours and featured his Dutch teammate Quincy Promes. He then picked up the pace with a steady run of freestyles and singles, often switching between English and Dutch, and has collaborated with Dutch rapper Winne, Ghanaian singer Bisa Kdei and Dutch hip-hop group Broederliefde. His 2020 track “No Love” has passed 20 million views on YouTube. His team was knocked out by Morocco, but his music keeps him busy.
Luis “Lucho” Díaz, Colombia
The Liverpool and Colombia forward turned heads when he recorded “El Ritmo Que Nos Une” with singer and rapper Ryan Castro. Díaz told Tribuna he said yes right away because he has always loved music. The track became the unofficial anthem of Colombia’s 2024 Copa América campaign, with several of his teammates appearing in the video. He recalled how Castro arrived at the hotel with his team, set up a studio and recorded their part in about 20 or 30 minutes. The two hit it off so well that they immediately made a second song, “Dembow Violento,” released roughly three weeks ago, just in time for the World Cup.
Alphonso Davies, Canada
When he is not playing for Bayern Munich or Canada, Alphonso Davies often loses himself in music. A longtime fan, he began putting out freestyles and songs during the pandemic, showing off his skills as a rapper. Canada were eliminated in the round of 16 by Morocco, but Davies has plenty left to explore as an artist. In 2025 things became more official with “München my Throne,” which doubled as the announcement of his contract extension with Bayern until 2029, the club he has been with since he was 18. He told Billboard Canada he added the ad-libs and spoke in between, calling it a cool idea because he loves both listening to and making music. The track has since gathered around one million views.
