IShowSpeed Releases “World Cup (Champions)” After FIFA Adds It to Official 2026 Album

American streamer Darren Watkins Jr., known as IShowSpeed, released “World Cup (Champions)” and pushed it into FIFA’s orbit after the track premiered on YouTube on June 1 and drew “over 3.3 million views” in less than 24 hours, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“UPDATED 6/3/26, 2:35 p”

Complex

Complex reported that on June 3, during a livestream, Speed opened an Instagram DM from the FIFA World Cup account that said, “We heard it. We liked it,” and added, “It’s on the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album.”

Complex

The same Complex account said the 2026 tournament will consist of 104 matches across 16 host cities from June 11 to July 19, with games concluding at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

Enfoque Monterrey described FIFA’s reply to Speed’s request as “We will be in touch,” after he asked for his song to be considered for the official 2026 World Cup album.

Enfoque Monterrey also said the song “Copa del Mundo Campeones” surpassed 2 million views and more than 400,000 likes on TikTok just hours after release, tying the viral surge to FIFA’s response.

Realnews Magazine said FIFA’s verified handle replied to Watkins’ tagging request with “We will be in touch,” triggering debates online that compared IShowSpeed’s indie anthem to the official FIFA soundtrack “Goals,” by Lisa, Anitta, and Rema.

An X user, @yetunede, praised the cultural framing in a post that said, “IShowSpeed putting Ghana on his back for this World Cup video is everything.”

El Comercio Perú

Realnews Magazine also quoted @hindisilencio arguing, “FIFA needs to stop overcomplicating things and just make this the official anthem.”

In contrast, @Danyflamez3 defended the established soundtrack, tweeting, “People comparing this Speed video to Rema, Lisa, and Anitta’s ‘Goals’ must be joking.”

Realnews Magazine added that @lawizzygotswag called FIFA’s “We will be in touch” response “hilarious but risky,” saying it could sideline “established global artists” for a viral YouTuber release.

The Times of India said FIFA’s official X account sent Speed a direct message confirming his song “ Champions” has been added to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album, after weeks of fan support.

“IShowSpeed premieres a song for the 2026 World Cup”

Enfoque Monterrey

It reported that the album is scheduled to release globally on June 5 through FIFA Sound and Universal Music and that it features 18 tracks, placing Speed alongside artists including Shakira, Burna Boy, The Rolling Stones, LISA, Daddy Yankee, Future, Tyla, Ava Max, Jelly Roll, and Carín León.

The Times of India also said the album’s main anthem is “Dai Dai” by Shakira and Burna Boy, while Speed’s inclusion marks a milestone for the streamer and his supporters.

Primicias and sdpnoticias both tied FIFA’s decision to YouTube performance, with sdpnoticias saying “Champions” generated more than 12 million views on YouTube and that FIFA included the track in the official album.

Primicias, meanwhile, placed the broader tournament context around the 48-team expansion and host countries—“the United States, Mexico, and Canada”—as teams and squads were posted ahead of the World Cup’s kickoff on June 11.