“WE PLAY COUNTRY MUSIC EVERY NIGHT BEFORE GAMES.
Mauricio Pochettino did not arrive in the United States men’s national team camp with a country music playlist in mind. He came from Argentina, brought his coaching philosophy, and stepped into one of the most demanding jobs in world soccer. Yet somewhere during this World Cup journey, something unexpected happened: country music became part of the team’s nightly routine.
Before matches, Pochettino and his staff began gathering and playing songs from Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, and Ella Langley. It was a small ritual, but it gave the team a sense of comfort and energy. Pochettino even shared a clip of himself preparing for training with Lainey Wilson playing in the background, describing the mood as American vibes. For a coach from Argentina leading the U.S. men’s team, it was a striking, human detail that fans noticed right away.
Lainey Wilson Heard the Story
Then Lainey Wilson found out what the team had been doing. Instead of simply reacting with a quick comment or a social post, she made it personal. She sent the squad a message and recorded an acoustic version of God Bless America. It was a thoughtful gesture, one that felt less like a celebrity appearance and more like a genuine salute to a group preparing for a major challenge.
That alone would have been memorable. But Lainey Wilson went further.
Before the Belgium match, she sang God Bless America and Take Me Home, Country Roads for the team. The moment carried a warmth that cut through the pressure of tournament football. Players listened, staff members smiled, and the atmosphere shifted from tense preparation to something shared and celebratory.
A Song No One Planned
The real surprise came with Take Me Home, Country Roads. No one planned for it to become part of the team’s story, yet that is exactly what happened. After every U.S. win in the World Cup, 66,000 fans rose to their feet and sang it together. The song moved from a private team ritual to a stadium-wide anthem, creating a link between players, coaches, and supporters.
From the pitch, the U.S. players clapped along. On the sideline, Mauricio Pochettino joined in too. The Argentine coach, known for his tactical discipline, was suddenly singing a 1971 John Denver classic with the kind of emotion usually reserved for lifelong fans. It was an image that said more than a press conference ever could.
Sometimes a team finds its identity in the most unexpected place. For this U.S. squad, it was a country song, a coach from Argentina, and a singer who understood the value of showing up with heart.
Why It Resonated
What made this story stand out was not just the music. It was the way music created connection. A World Cup can feel distant and intense, but moments like this bring it back to people. Fans saw a coach embracing a new culture. Players felt supported. And Lainey Wilson turned a passing mention into a memory the team and supporters will carry with them.
In the end, the story was never only about one song or one performance. It was about how traditions begin, how they grow, and how a simple gesture can bring an entire crowd together. For the U.S. men’s team, country music became part of the journey. For Lainey Wilson, it became a chance to give something back. And for Mauricio Pochettino, it proved that belonging can sound a lot like a stadium singing in unison.
