Ask a certain generation of Nigerians about their first memory of hearing their local music in a video game, and some will name (2006) in a pirated version of PES/Winning Eleven. For some, it was “For Instance” and other songs. Officially, Konami never put them there.

PES/Winning Eleven is Konami鈥檚 football game series, the one that reigned in Nigerian game centres through the 2000s alongside FIFA. It came pre-installed with composed instrumental music and stadium staples, like Queen’s 鈥淲e Will Rock You.鈥� There were no Nigerian songs on it. The 2Baba and other local songs were a bootleg among Nigerians to create a familiar sound while gaming.

This is the unofficial origin of Nigerian music in football and football gaming. The song didn鈥檛 get there through a licensing deal. It was through piracy. Bootleggers who copied and resold the game swapped its audio, so a whole generation grew up with a Nigerian song built into their football game. Nigerian music got into football through the back door, facilitated by the very people playing it.

But music has always gone hand in hand with football, and it鈥檚 through EA鈥檚 FIFA franchise, which launched in 1997, that it became part of gaming. FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 was the first game in the series to license real pop music (not commission its own). Blur鈥檚 鈥淪ong 2鈥� blared over the intro. That was the beginning. Under Steve Schnur, who has run EA鈥檚 music operation for most of the years since, the FIFA soundtrack became a tastemaker. The soundtracks became the reason a teenager in Lagos or London might discover Phoenix through FIFA 09 or Sigur R贸s through FIFA 11. EA chose the songs and, in doing so, shaped global taste in music. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a FIFA song鈥� became its own category of music.

Africa began showing on that official stage before the decade was out. (sung partly in Nigerian Pidgin) on the 2009 FIFA 10 soundtrack. This makes her the first Nigerian artist on an official FIFA game.

The next year, EA built a dedicated soundtrack for its 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa game, and Schnur singled out the Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji among other African artists. But that was world-music curation for a tournament staged in Africa, not Nigerian pop music. Afropop, soon to be everywhere on the current soundtrack, was still warming up.

The big breakthrough came on FIFA 20. London-based on the official soundtrack. There was also 鈥淎wa Ni鈥� by American duo The Knocks with Nigerian artist Kah-Lo on it. They became the first of a new generation, and the wave came fast behind them. FIFA 21 brought Fireboy DML鈥檚 鈥淪catter,鈥� with Rema, Skepta and Burna Boy appearing on the game鈥檚 VOLTA street-football playlist. By FIFA 23, the presence had swelled: Seun Kuti, Pheelz, BNXN, Olamide, Bad Boy Timz. In the space of four years, Nigerian music went from 鈥淥ou, we made it鈥� to expected.

Then it wobbled. When EA dropped the FIFA name and launched the rebranded EA Sports FC 24, Nigerian music was left entirely off the main soundtrack. The only Nigerian on it was Obongjayar, and only through a guest feature on a British rapper鈥檚 track. FC25 brought Nigerian music back the next year, with Rema and Shallipopi鈥檚 鈥淏enin Boys,鈥� Omah Lay, and Obongjayar again. Then FC26 dropped it once more, leaving Obongjayar鈥攐n his fifth appearance across four editions鈥攁s the lone Nigerian-born name while bigger stars came and went. The relationship, in other words, is real but not guaranteed. Each year, EA decides again whether Nigerian music is in or out.

READ NEXT:听The 20 Catchiest Nigerian Choruses of the 21st Century

This makes the World Cup song a different, higher-ceilinged one than a video game soundtrack. The official World Cup anthem is its own tradition, older than the video game and separate from it. It runs back through decades of tournament songs to landmarks like Giorgio Moroder鈥檚 鈥淯n鈥檈state italiana,鈥� the swelling anthem of Italia 鈥�90, and takes in Ricky Martin鈥檚 鈥溾�� and Shakira鈥檚 own 鈥溾�� along the way. A Nigerian first joined this list in 2022 when the lead single of the Qatar World Cup theme song, with American singer Trinidad Cardona and Qatari singer Aisha.

Four years later, to make the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2026. It was performed at the opening ceremony of the biggest sporting event on earth, and during its half-time show. The Super Eagles didn鈥檛 qualify for the tournament, beaten by DR Congo in a playoff, so the country鈥檚 music reached where the team couldn鈥檛.

This song isn鈥檛 a track buried at number sixty on a hundred-song playlist. It鈥檚 the official song of the FIFA World Cup, and it鈥檚 a different category from a soundtrack slot. A playlist inclusion is a song EA licensed. A World Cup anthem is the sound FIFA chose to represent the entire tournament.

Thread the timeline, and you can see that pirated games in the mid-2000s, where Nigerians had to insert their own music by force, were door-openers. The music travelled from something game players ripped into the game to something its biggest stage is platforming. But it鈥檚 not quite the triumph it looks like yet.

Twice now, a Nigerian artist has been on a World Cup song, and both times as a guest. Davido on 鈥淗ayya Hayya鈥� with two other singers. Burna Boy is alongside Shakira on 鈥淒ai Dai鈥� which he co-wrote with five others. The song came out on a Latin label Shakira signed to. A World Cup song often brings several countries together on one track, so shared billing is common. But it鈥檚 not the rule, as those earlier solo songs show. The format allows a single artist to carry it, which means the supporting role here was a choice rather than something the format forced. But set that beside the rest of the timeline, and a pattern holds rather than breaks. Nigerian music made the FIFA soundtrack, then got dropped, then returned, then got dropped again.

It reached the World Cup, but as a guest on someone else鈥檚 song. At every stage, the genre is present because someone else chose to include it. EA, perhaps, owes Nigerian music nothing. A soundtrack is theirs to fill however they like, and dropping a genre is a normal commercial call.

Nigerian music hasn鈥檛 yet been handed one of these on its own. But that鈥檚 a small complaint next to the distance already covered. Twenty years ago, the only way to hear a Nigerian song in a football game was to get a pirated or cracked version. That was a workaround born out of exclusion because the music wasn鈥檛 offered a way into the centre.

Now the music stands on its biggest stage. But getting on the stage isn鈥檛 the same as owning it.听Nigerian music is present because EA, FIFA, and a Colombian headliner鈥檚 label chose to include it, and it holds its place only as long as they keep choosing. It has gone from exclusion to inclusion. What it鈥檚 yet to win is command of the room.

We鈥檝e gone from being ignored to being invited, but the real work won鈥檛 be done until we own a seat at the table.

ALSO READ: 10 Performances from the 2020s that turned Nollywood Actors Into Stars

Our countrymen might be absent but the love for football transcends patriotism. From Portugal to England, Argentina to Senegal, we asked Nigerians what countries they are adopting for the World Cup.

France 鈥� Excel, 23, Male

I鈥檓 supporting France because of Mbappe. They jokingly call him a dictator but I just think he鈥檚 misunderstood and I am rooting for him to win two world cups before thirty which would be an insane achievement. I am also supporting Portugal because Bruno Fernandez plays for them and also plays for Manchester United, the club I support. His winning will improve his chances of winning the Balon d鈥橭r.

Portugal 鈥� Divine, 26, Male 

I鈥檓 supporting Portugal because I think Ronaldo is the greatest football player in the world and he needs to win a World Cup to prove the naysayers wrong.

France 鈥� Alpha, 24, Male 

I鈥檓 supporting France because the whole team is basically made up of Africans. If Nigeria can鈥檛 make it in at least let me support a country with African representation.

No Allegiance 鈥� Tobi, 24, Male

I鈥檓 supporting any country with the hottest players, my allegiance lies with beauty.

Norway 鈥� Didi, 29, Female  

I鈥檓 supporting Norway because I think Erling Haaland is the hottest man ever. African countries are playing nonsense. No rage, no desire, no passion.

Portugal 鈥� Inem, 25, Male 

I鈥檓 supporting Portugal because of Bruno Fernandez and Brazil because they have the most beautiful women.

Norway 鈥� Nic, 26, Male 

I鈥檓 supporting Norway because I also support Manchester City and Haaland plays for both. I鈥檓 dedicated to both club and country.

Argentina and Spain 鈥� Ebube, 26, Male

I support both countries because of Messi and Yamal. They鈥檙e the chosen ones so any of them winning is a win for me.

Portugal 鈥� Becca, 24, Female 

My real support is for Ronaldo because that鈥檚 my GOAT.

France 鈥� Kenyo, 24, Male

I support France because the supreme leader Mbappe is their captain.

Which country do you support? Let us know. 

The question is, could Nigeria ever? We attempted something similar with the U-17 FIFA World Cup in , but the World Cup is an entirely different game. Nigerians know this too. That鈥檚 why they鈥檝e had the most hilarious responses to an X user鈥檚 simple question: 鈥淲hat if Nigeria hosts a World Cup?鈥�

We compiled the most hilarious responses that鈥檒l have you going from 鈥淕od, abeg鈥� to 鈥淲etin be this?鈥�

The popo will have a field day

Ronaldo would fly in his own cleaners

This shouldn鈥檛 be funny, but鈥�

Insecurity, please now

Africa Magic, na your mate?

Scriiimmmmm

Not our prized Lagos stadium

They must beg

It鈥檚 really our time

He鈥檚 got moves

No Nigerian barber slander, please

Sorry for the laugh

NURTW, I think you鈥檙e seeing this?

Power to small businesses!

Tearssss

One thing about Poco Lee? MTN

Make ancestors do normal

With Canadian loud, the feeling is different 

Sunscreen might be the next big boom

Can you people be serious?

Wear an Argentina jersey, and shout 鈥渟iuuu!鈥�

Just walk in front of them in an Argentina jersey, and do Ronaldo鈥檚 signature celebration. You need to rub in the pain.

Show them this picture of Messi

It scattered football twitter a month ago because it鈥檚 basically two GOATs in one shot. But now, the story has changed.

Remind them that Messi has seven Balon d鈥橭rs

If you鈥檙e in a GOAT debate with any Ronaldo fan, just know they鈥檇 ask you to bring facts. When they do, show them this picture.

Say the words 鈥淲orld Cup final鈥�

Nothing can trigger them more than the fact that their fave will never lift that trophy.

Tell them you agree he鈥檚 second best

Ronaldo fans live for the GOAT debate. So throw them off by being reasonable and agreeing he鈥檚 second best. They won鈥檛 be able to contain their anger.

Tell them he鈥檚 your GOAT

They know you鈥檙e an opp, and you鈥檙e being sarcastic, and that鈥檒l annoy them so much.

Become a Bar莽a fan

The minute you announce you鈥檙e a Barca fan, Ronaldo fans will see you as an opp, and everything you do will irritate them.

NEXT READ: These Are the Countries to Support Since Nigeria Isn鈥檛 at the World Cup

Lionel Messi not being able to save Argentina from Saudi Arabia 

Lionel Messi is the GOAT! Lionel Messi is the GOAT! And small Saudi Arabia that ranks 51 on FIFA鈥檚 world鈥檚 best teams still ended up beating his home team? Maybe it鈥檚 time to switch the title from GOAT to asun because this shock is not here. Love to see it for Saudi Arabia, though. 

Lukaku becoming the affliction that keeps rising against Belgium 

No one has missed more chances to score at the 2022 World Cup so far than Romelu Lukaku. This man had like four opportunities to put Belgium ahead in their match against Croatia (and become the highest goal scorer this year), but his village people wouldn鈥檛 let him succeed. The funniest part is how shocked he looked every time he missed a goal. Now we understand why Chelsea decided to sell him off to Inter Milan. 

Japan starting Germany鈥檚 downfall

With four World Cup titles to their name (their most recent win being at the 2014 tournament), everyone automatically thought Germany had the Japan game in the bag. After all, Japan hasn鈥檛 even smelt the trophy before. But like with David and Goliath, Japan kicked off the group stage of the tournament by using Germany to mop the floor. 

This match let other teams know the Japan team didn鈥檛 come to play this year.

Cameroon peppers Serbia to a draw match 

Despite losing their first match against Switzerland, Cameroon pulled through in their second outing, equalising earlier goals from Serbia and walking away with a 3 – 3 draw. Even though they didn鈥檛 win the match, Cameroon showed us black excellence and just like Issa Rae: 

Japan鈥檚 surprise second-half save against Spain

Japan beating Germany during the World Cup group opener was a cute stroke of luck, but beating 2010 winners, Spain? After Spain scored first goal 11 minutes in, Japan came back with ginger in the second half and scored two goals like it was nothing. 

Omo, maybe it鈥檚 time to ask the Japanese team what soap they鈥檙e using?

RECOMMENDED: 9 Things Non-Football Fans Can Do During the World Cup 

Morocco beatin world second-best Belgium 2 – 0

It鈥檚 not every day the 22nd-ranked football team strolls in and beats the world鈥檚 second-best. But that鈥檚 exactly what happened at the World Cup when Morocco gave Belgium the beating of their lives. Watching Belgium struggle for an equaliser was one thing, but watching them swallow two goals from Morocco? We have to scrim!

A protester disrupting the Portugal and Uruguay match

The match between Portugal and Uruguay will always be remembered as the match where a protester ran onto the field with a t-shirt and flag supporting Iranian women, peace in Ukraine and LGBTQIA+ rights. Apparently, the same guy ran onto the field in game. We can鈥檛 help but stan a consistent  king. 

Tunisia beating their former colonisers and current World Cup champions

Tunisia might be going home after losing their matches to Australia and Denmark. But they initially beat their former coloniser and current World Cup champions, France, and that鈥檚 iconic AF. Imagine Nigeria beating England in a match? We love to see it. 

ALSO READ: These Are the Countries to Support Since Nigeria Isn鈥檛 at the World Cup

What鈥檚 now going to happen to the non-football fans that are forgotten by family, friends, lovers, colleagues etc.? What should they do with their time? If you鈥檙e not a football fan, you can use this time to:

Time travel

Use this opportunity to run away from adulting and travel to when you were still a child and had zero responsibilities and no worries. Since the world cup will be happening, not many people will notice your absence. 

Learn how to play football 

You鈥檝e realised how much money footballers make from the world cup, and now you want to join because sapa is showing you shege. It may be too late to join this year鈥檚 World Cup. But if you train hard enough, maybe you can join them next year.  

Get a new degree 

You have enough time to go back to school, attend lectures, take exams and graduate with a new degree. 

Discover the cure to a disease 

While everybody is busy watching football, you can do more important things like saving people鈥檚 lives. 

Watch the world cup 

If you can鈥檛 beat them, join them. 

Go for a reality TV show

Use the 28 days of the World Cup to enter a reality tv show and become famous yourself. 

Fall in love and chop breakfast 

You can meet a fellow non-football watcher and fall in love. But once World Cup ends, one of you will realise that your lack of interest in football was the only thing you had in common. And that鈥檚 how breakfast will be served. Maybe if you鈥檙e both still single after four years, you can reunite during the next World Cup. 

Leave your job and travel

Your boss may be too distracted by the World Cup to notice you鈥檙e gone. Just make sure you come back before December 18. Or before their favourite team loses and crashes out of the tournament. 

Get a PAGA card and go shopping 

Paga has partnered with Visa and FIFA World Cup to bring you the Paga Visa card. This prepaid debit card can be used to buy things and withdraw cash in much the same way as regular debit cards.

Unlike a regular debit or credit card, a Paga Visa prepaid debit card doesn鈥檛 need to be linked to a traditional bank account. So there are no requirements like your great grand mother鈥檚 birth certificate or any other complex document to get the card. It also helps you manage your money and can be used anywhere in the world. Visit the for more information about the card.   

Don鈥檛 worry, though. We鈥檝e brought you a list of countries you can support and not feel unpatriotic. 

Canada

Who said Nigeria isn鈥檛 at the World Cup, please? Check the Canadian national team in 15 years, and walahi, you鈥檙e just going to see names like Adebayo, Chuma and Ogedengbe. Just support our people. Who knows? Canada might see your tweets and give you permanent residence for patriotism. 

England

I鈥檓 putting this on the list simply because I love Bukayo Saka. 

Argentina

This is the last chance for the greatest footballer of all time to win football鈥檚 biggest prize. So he鈥檚 going to need as much support from everywhere across the world to make this happen. A Messi World Cup is at the same level of importance as ending world poverty.

Ghana

Our brothers in jollof are going to World Cup. If they win, they鈥檒l lord it over us for the rest of our lives, and it鈥檒l be painful. But also, we鈥檒l be able to say a West African has won the World Cup. Not bad.

Germany

Jamal Musiala and Karim Adeyemi are on the German team. Even though they鈥檙e choosing to play for another country, I鈥檒l still support them. 

Cameroon

I鈥檓 adding Cameroon to the list because I鈥檝e started using a lot of Cameroon pepper in my cooking, and omo, it鈥檚 so good. God bless the country that produced it. They deserve to win the World Cup.

There鈥檚 no judgement here. We understand the struggle. Here鈥檚 how to disguise if football just isn鈥檛 your thing.  

Get familiar with the different games

You don鈥檛 want to be the one asking, 鈥淚s this a World Cup qualifier game?鈥� when the whole world and your grandmother know it鈥檚 the FIFA World Cup final game.

Know the slangs

Then make sure to sprinkle them into your conversations.

Your boss: 鈥淗ow was your weekend?鈥�

You: 鈥淚 watched the top goals by my Idolo. He鈥檚 the GOAT!鈥�

Choose a club

Just pick any club that has a reasonably good reputation and post about them once in a while. For international tournaments like the World Cup, just stick to Nigeria until they disgrace you.

Get a jersey

You don鈥檛 even need to get an original one. Visit any bend-down-select place, pick one jersey, wash it and wear it everywhere.

Twitter is your friend

There鈥檒l always be hot takes on the TL whenever a match occurs. Pick one that everyone agrees with, retweet and then post it on your WhatsApp status. 

Whatever you do, avoid viewing centres

Unless you want to be exposed as the fraud you are, avoid any gathering of hard-core football fans. You鈥檒l be disgraced.

Participate in Coca-Cola鈥檚 Believe and Win Promo so you can win a trip to the 2022 FIFA World Cup

No one can doubt your fanship when you post your Qatar pictures. 

Coca-Cola is an official partner of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup and has launched a consumer-reward campaign for football fans. 

Just buy any white-capped Coca-Cola product, check under the cap for the code, and dial *8014*1*CODE# to participate for free. Some lucky consumers will even witness the World Cup live in Qatar.

Check out the and for more information.

1) Refuse Buhari鈥檚 Call

The last time Buhari called, we lost. Now, they shouldn鈥檛 even mention his name near the field. If he calls, let it ring. They can call him back after the they鈥檝e won. 

2) Invoke the angels from Africa 

This may be a bit tricky since we’re invoking angels from Africa against another African country, but it鈥檚 first come first served: whoever calls upon the angels first will enjoy their services. So if we鈥檝e not began summoning, we should start now. 

3) Seize all the eggs in Ghana 

If we seize all the eggs in Ghana, we can demand that the country forfeits the match. With the way Ghanaians love eggs, they鈥檒l give into our demands in less than an hour. 

RELATED: We Ranked All the Types of Eggs From Worst to Best 

4) Print our own qualification certificate

Cyber cafes are plenty and printers are not scarce. If we print  our own certificate, the FIFA  has to accept it. Do they know who we are?

5) Dust Ghana in the qualifiers听

Obviously, the most straightforward path to qualify for the World Cup is to beat Ghana on the pitch.  

6) Legwork practice

Football players need strong legs, and what better way to strengthen your legs than to legwork? Three hours of legwork is enough to give our football players strong legs and prevent injuries. 

RELATED: 8 Reasons Why the Nigerian Government Must Ban Legwork 

7) Jollof rice cooking competition

We need to convince the federation that the match needs to leave the field and enter the kitchen. Nigerian jollof is superior and a jollof competition will easily secure Nigeria a win. 

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