FIFA has unveiled the 2026 World Cup anthem, DNA, a collaboration between Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, Megan Thee Stallion, and EJAE. However, the song's journey to release was far from smooth, with co-writer Daniel Goudie revealing a chaotic behind-the-scenes process.
Unexpected Roller Coaster
Daniel Goudie and his composing partner Ashley Milton, known as production duo Laconic, helped write the original version of DNA but had no idea it would be released. 'We'd had quite a roller coaster experience with this song,' Goudie told Metro. 'Up to the last minute, even yesterday morning, we weren't sure if it was actually happening.' He admitted it feels 'quite surreal,' with the track now likely to become their biggest ever song thanks to FIFA's backing.
Confusion Over Official Songs
When asked about the previously released official World Cup 2026 Song, Dai Dai, by Shakira and Burna Boy, Goudie laughed. 'It has been a bit confusing,' he said. 'That's actually been part of the roller coaster for us, because we've not been kept in the loop. Then these other songs have come out with the official World Cup song labelled on them, and it's been quite confusing.' DNA is the official anthem, set to be played during games and performed live at the launch event.
From Berlin Workshop to World Stage
The song began at a workshop in Berlin, where Laconic attended to 'refresh their creative palette.' In its early form, DNA was a lyrically focused emotional number about self-acceptance. The songwriters, including Fast Boy and Norma Jean Martine, had no home for the track until Bocelli's team got involved. 'They were looking for songs for this World Cup,' Goudie explained. 'The musical feeling, the melodies and the chords, it just felt like they spoke to a World Cup kind of occasion.' The lyrics were tweaked to be more football-focused before Bocelli and FIFA gave the sign-off.
Songwriters Left in the Dark
Goudie highlighted the industry's lack of transparency for songwriters. 'The industry is such that songwriters are often the last to know,' he shared. Despite nearly 15 years in the industry, working with artists like Tom Grennan, Nicki Minaj, and Madison Beer, he noted that songwriters remain underdogs. 'There are very much no guarantees,' he said. 'I have plenty of friends and colleagues where the first they've heard about a song being released is when it's released.' He called for better regulation, stating that songwriters are 'least well paid, least well informed, and least well respected.'
Pride Despite Overplay
Goudie is just happy the track found its way into the world with his name attached. He doesn't mind if it gets overplayed during the summer. 'I'm absolutely fine with that,' he laughed. 'The amazing thing about art is that it is so subjective. If people don't like it, I'm not going to be upset about that. But I hope that they do and I hope that people feel a sense of togetherness through the competition, and hopefully the song helps.' While not a diehard football fan, Goudie will tune in for the big competitions, especially now his song will soundtrack the event.
