World Cup 2022 song: Name, lyrics, artists, official video and what the anthem means

Will Savage

World Cup 2022 song: Name, lyrics, artists, official video and what the anthem means image

World Cup songs are an institution almost as old as the competition itself.

Like mascots, they are a way to build hype and share in the excitement around a World Cup, and that has continued for the Qatar showpiece.

The official song for World Cup 2022 was announced earlier this year, and was performed at the draw ceremony for the finals in Doha on April 1.

Here, we take a closer listen to the anthem, and also a look back at some of the now famous songs that have echoed around the stadiums of previous World Cups. Will Qatar's anthem join a pantheon of greats?

MORE: World Cup injury tracker

What is the official World Cup 2022 song?

The official World Cup 2022 anthem was revealed at the draw ceremony in Doha, Qatar on April 1. 

It's called 'Hayya Hayya (Better Together)' and was performed on stage as part of the festivities as the schedule for the finals from November 20-December 18 was set.

The song looks to draw on R&B and reggae influences by bringing together three artists with different backgrounds. Using musicians from different countries is also symbolic of the World Cup itself, which brings together players from across the world.

"By bringing together voices from the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, this song symbolises how music — and football — can unite the world," explained Kay Madati, FIFA's Chief Commercial Officer.

Who sings the World Cup 2022 song?

The first of the trio of artists to feature on 'Hayya Hayya' is Trinidad Cardona. The American R&B singer hails from Phoenix, Arizona.

Singer-songwriter Cardona first went viral with hits 'Jennifer' and 'Dinero' in 2017. The latter song featured on numerous dance challenges on TikTok, and has been the basis of the star's success in music so far.

Speaking to FIFA about the 2022 World Cup song, he said: "It's a celebration, it embodies everything the FIFA World Cup stands for. People from all around the world coming together, and I just love that message."

The second artist on the track is Afrobeats icon Davido. The Nigerian-American singer, songwriter and producer brings an international feel to the track, having spent time in North America, London and Africa.

He's best known for the hit singles 'If' and 'Fall'.

"I've grown up all over the world and the more I travelled, the more I realised that we are all one, one people, one world," he explained, when talking about the message behind the song. 'We are better together' went right to my heart."

The third musician on the track is Aisha. Being Qatari, she ensures that the host nation is represented in the song.

"The song's message of togetherness and joy resonated with me as joy was present with us throughout the journey of making this song."

— Aisha reflects on the official World Cup song.

What language is the World Cup 2022 song?

The lyrics for 'Hayya Hayya' are sung entirely in English. 

The official song of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 'Live It Up' was released in English and Spanish. And the 2014 World Cup had an official song 'We Are One (Ola Ola)' as well as an official anthem 'La La La (Brasil 2014)'. Both of these were released in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

In 2010, 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' was released in English and Spanish for the South Africa World Cup. 

World Cup 2022 song lyrics

In case you feel like singing along, here are the lyrics for the 2022 World Cup anthem:

Hayya, Hayya, Hayya (Yeah)
Hayya, Hayya, Ha— (You know what it is)
Hayya, Hayya, Hayya
Hayya, Hayya, Ha— (Redwood)

Hayya, Hayya, Hayya
(Aisha)
Hayya, Hayya, Ha—
(Davido)
Hayya, Hayya, Hayya
(Trinidad)
Hayya, Hayya, Ha—

I wanna walk the walk on every street
I wanna ball out with the world at my feet
Hit every discotheque and not skip a beat, eh, eh
I wanna party, party eight days a week

I promise, I promise, I promise you now
Everything, everything gonna work out
Every tomorrow, no matter what goes down
I promise, I promise, I promise you now
Gonna be, gonna be sticking around
Every tomorrow, no matter what goes down

(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
Don't wanna wait forever
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
The time is now or never

(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
Don't wanna wait forever
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
The time is now or never

Hayya, Hayya, Hayya
Hayya, Hayya, Ha—

Life can be up and down but what can you do, eh?
We navigate through all the rough and the smooth, yeah
We got that rock 'n' roll, that rhythm and blues, yeah, yeah
I'm never blue if I am rockin' with you

I promise, I promise, I promise you now
Everything, everything gonna work out
Every tomorrow, no matter what goes down
I promise, I promise, I promise you now
Gonna be, gonna be sticking around
Every tomorrow, no matter what goes down

(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
Don't wanna wait forever
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
(You know we better together)
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
The time is now or never

(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
Don't wanna wait forever
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
The time is now or never

Yeah, you can hop on your own wave
(Yeah, you can ride it for life)
But every journey is better
(When you got love on your side)

(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
Don't wanna wait forever
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
(You know we better together)
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
The time is now or never

(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
Don't wanna wait forever
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
You know we better together
(Yo yo yo, yo ho)
The time is now or never

Hayya, Hayya, Hayya
Hayya, Hayya, Ha—
Hayya, Hayya, Hayya
Hayya, Hayya, Ha—

Best (and worst) World Cup songs

Official World Cup anthems have been released for every tournament since 1994's terribly titled 'Gloryland World Cup USA 94'.

World Cup songs released by host nations go back a little further, with the first one believed to be 'El Rock del Mundial' sung in Spanish for the 1962 tournament in Chile. England 1966's 'World Cup Willie' followed that four years later.

The next few tournament hosts really put in no effort whatsoever when it came to coming up with catchy names: Mexico's official song was 'Futbol Mexico 70' and West Germany only managed the title 'Futbol' for the 1974 tournament. Futbol isn't even a German word!

Thankfully, things have improved somewhat since then, with unofficial songs launching alongside FIFA's official soundtracks.

The most famous of these was K'Naan's 'Wavin' Flag' for South Africa 2010, an official promotional anthem for Coca-Cola.

Over the years, World Cup songs have become more serious undertakings, with the last few tournaments seeing some major artists like Shakira, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, Jason Derulo and Hans Zimmer involved in tournament songs.

Will Savage