As Toronto prepares to host the first FIFA World Cup game on Canadian soil, a group of Ontario musicians hope their music will be part of it.
The London-based group collaborated on an original song, Beautiful Game, which celebrates soccer and the international competition. The artists now have a goal of their own: to make the tune the theme song of the 2026 World Cup.
“The World Cup is coming to our homeland, so what better way to let everyone know,” said Dario Novoa, who directed the project and is featured on the song.
“This is a big opportunity for the world to really know that we’re on the map worldwide.”
The 2026 World Cup tournament, from June 11 to July 19, will feature an expanded 48-team, 104-game colossus co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico. Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening-round matches plus a round-of-32 knockout match, and Vancouver will stage a round-of-16 game.
‘We need unity more than ever’
Beautiful Game and its accompanying music videos were created by members of Simple Reflections for Artists, multi-disciplinary artists from the London area.
“What we’re trying to do right now is fuse sports and music, which is so fitting with what’s going on in the world right now,” said country singer Kristen Renée, one of the featured artists on the song. “We need unity more than ever.”
“Both sports and music have a sense of magic in them, and when you release that, it takes on a life of its own.”
Each musician, including rapper Big Lou and singer-songwriter J-David, contributed lyrics.
WATCH/LISTEN | Ontario musicians, soccer players in Beautiful Game video:
The musical elements, Novoa said, drew inspiration from styles all around the world, including Latin America and Europe.
“When it comes to soccer and music, we don’t need to speak the same language to connect us.”
Novoa said he already pitched the song to FIFA, but also wants it to reach national soccer teams and sports apparel brands. The artists hope to perform the song live at one of the matches.
“I would love for it to reach every corner it wants to, and if FIFA loves it and claims it, it belongs to them,” said Renée. “We wrote it for that purpose.”
Young soccer players star in music video
Simple Reflections for Artists made two music videos for Beautiful Game: one showcases the singers and the other stars young soccer players from a local team.
“The kids bought right into it,” said AEL FC Canada president Milton Gougoulias, whose girls’ team is featured in the latter music video. “Everybody was dancing and they were having so much fun.”
Team members are seen waving signs, playing soccer and lip syncing along in the video.
“The song is very unique and catchy,” said 11-year-old Olivia Ward, a team member.
She said she was excited to see herself in the music video for the first time during a watch-party event at London’s BMO Centre on Wednesday.
Olivia and Gougoulias both want the music video to make it to the World Cup level as well, as a promotional video for the game.
Novoa said he wants to work with more soccer teams in Ontario to create similar music videos.
“This is a movement where we want everyone to be proud of what they’re doing — embrace who you are through the arts, music and sport.”
