March 23 – FIFA has launched the first track from its official 2026 World Cup album, with Lighter – a collaboration between Jelly Roll, Carín León and producer Cirkut – released across streaming platforms.
The song brings together artists from the three host nations – the United States, Mexico and Canada – and is being positioned as the opening piece of a wider album tied to the tournament.
The launch is part of FIFA’s continued build out of the commercial narrative around the 2026 World Cup, a competition that will be the largest in history at 48 teams. The album is being released under the fledgling FIFA Sound label, (in co-ordination with the Universal Arabic and republic labels).
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the rare moments when the entire world moves to the same rhythm,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album is not simply a musical accompaniment to the tournament; it’s a statement about where the global game is going.
“By bringing together artists whose voices resonate across continents, we are creating something that mirrors the scale, ambition and cultural impact of this historic competition. Lighter marks the beginning of that journey. It is a powerful expression of resilience, energy and joy – a song that will connect with fans everywhere and become part of the atmosphere in stadiums, fan celebrations and communities around the world throughout the tournament.”
For the artists involved, the focus is more straightforward – reach and exposure.
“Music has a way of reaching people in places you’d never expect, and the way this song came together with Carín León and Cirkut is proof of that,” said Jelly Roll.
More tracks will follow as FIFA builds out the full album.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]