It was one of the goosebump moments of the World Cup in North America so far. After England's 4-2 victory against Croatia, English fans sang "Wonderwall" by Oasis during the players' lap of honor. The 1995 Britpop classic echoed through the AT&T Stadium in Dallas from the stadium speakers. Players like captain Harry Kane (32) and Jude Bellingham (22) were visibly moved. A few players even joined in the singing.
The British newspaper "The Sun" took the moment between team and fans as an opportunity to launch a campaign. The paper wants to make "Wonderwall" the anthem of the Three Lions during the tournament.
"Magical Moment": Noel Gallagher Gives His Blessing
Now Noel Gallagher (59) has also weighed in on the debate. "'Wonderwall' belongs to the people, and it was a magical moment between the spectators and the players", he told "The Sun". "I wish good luck to everyone who made the journey there", he added.
Noel Gallagher, like his brother, Oasis singer Liam (53), is a huge football fan. He is a passionate supporter of Manchester City, the (former) working-class club in his hometown. However, he has not publicly supported the English national team so far. "I'm not an England fan, I'm Irish", he once said in an interview with the BBC. The Gallagher brothers were born in Manchester as sons of an Irish family.
How "Wonderwall" Became the Unofficial World Cup Anthem
Like every national team, England was also asked by FIFA to name favorite songs that could then be played in the stadiums. In addition to "Wonderwall", officials also nominated "Hey Jude" by The Beatles and "Sweet Caroline" by US singer Neil Diamond (85).
But no song animated the fans in the stadium as much as "Wonderwall". Harry Kane described the collective crooning as a "special moment". "The Sun" therefore launched the initiative, even getting the English ambassador to the US on board. The England Band, which has been musically cheering on the English team in the stadium since 1996, is adding "Wonderwall" to its repertoire for the second group match against Ghana.
