Noel Gallagher has thrown his support behind Oasis' iconic track Wonderwall becoming England's unofficial anthem at the World Cup, after fans serenaded the team with the song following a 4-2 victory over Croatia. The track was played over the stadium speakers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, prompting a stadium-wide singalong that included players like Jude Bellingham, who was captured on video singing along on the pitch.
Gallagher calls moment 'magical'
Speaking to The Sun, the Oasis guitarist and longtime Manchester City fan said: 'Wonderwall belongs to the people, and it was a magical moment between the people and the players. Best of luck to everyone who's made the trip out there.' The song, released in 1995, never reached number one in the UK but has become a staple at football matches and gatherings.
England's 4-2 win featured a double from Harry Kane, plus goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford. After the match, Declan Rice described the scene: 'On the pitch after the game and we were just connecting with the fans and they were singing. That was special. Being in Dallas, singing Wonderwall. There's nothing like that first time.'
Kane emotional over fan connection
Harry Kane, England's captain, appeared close to tears as he stood with his team listening to the crowd. He said: 'That was one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt, especially at a major tournament. It's the emotional connection with the fans, we know how much it means to them. They see how much it means to us. We have that connection right now.'
Each country at the World Cup submitted a playlist of songs to be played before and after games, with Wonderwall an obvious pick for England. Other tracks include The Beatles' Hey Jude – often sung in honour of Bellingham – and Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline. But Wonderwall holds a special place in fans' hearts.
Stones close to Gallagher brothers
John Stones, who plays for Manchester City – the club supported by the Gallagher brothers – was next to Kane during the serenade. The 32-year-old defender is close to Noel and even compiled a playlist with him for NME in 2018. Don't Look Back In Anger and Wonderwall made the list, with Stones revealing the team 'always walk in' to the latter. Gallagher replied: 'Would you not prefer Rock And Roll Star? Wonderwall is a bit "end of the night, my bird's left me" and all that kind of thing. It doesn't strike me as something you play before the derby.'
Stones noted that people sing it whom he 'wouldn't have expected to', to which Gallagher quipped: 'Well, I'm honoured.' The popularity of Wonderwall continues to surprise the brothers. The 30-year-old track peaked at number two in the UK in 1995 and has re-entered the top 100 several times since.
Financial and cultural impact
Before Oasis' reunion tour, Rolling Stone estimated that Wonderwall was generating about $2,650 (£2,000) in recorded-music royalties on Spotify every 24 hours – approximately $1 million per year. The song remains Oasis' only top-10 hit in North America. Liam Gallagher once compared it to John Lennon's Imagine, existing in a space where it is both universally loved and hated. He has admitted to periods of being sick of the track but now recognises that the 'song is bigger than us'.
The simple guitar riff, Liam's familiar vocals, and lyrics that feel momentous make it the perfect tune for huge crowds to harmonise to at major occasions. As the chant goes, it's 'our wonderwall'.
