How 'Country Roads' became the soundtrack of the US team's World Cup run

John Denver's 1971 song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" has become the unofficial anthem of the U.S. men's soccer team at the 2026 World Cup, with players and even coach Mauricio Pochettino singing it with fans after matches. The song was added to FIFA's postgame playlist and first debuted after the team's 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle. Bill Danoff, who co-wrote the song, told the AP he's honored by the revival, noting that Denver—who died in 1997—would have loved seeing the matches. Despite lyrics celebrating West Virginia, Danoff said the song was actually inspired by a drive along Maryland's Clopper Road; he drew on memories of growing up in New England and listening to Appalachian music broadcasts from West Virginia.