Sweet Caroline became closely associated with England during Euro 2020, particularly after the victory over Germany at Wembley, and remained prominent around Euro 2022. Its appeal was immediate: a familiar melody, a simple refrain and a chorus that thousands of supporters could sing without preparation.
The song’s rise also reflected football’s ability to absorb popular culture. It had already appeared at sporting events across the United Kingdom, but England’s tournament run gave it a more specific identity.
Now, a report says Wonderwall filled the same role after the Croatia match, with England players reportedly joining supporters in the song. That scene has made the Oasis classic an early marker of the campaign.
Football anthems work best when they are accessible. Unlike a club song tied to a particular city or history, Wonderwall is instantly recognisable across generations and requires little musical skill from the crowd.
Its rise also shows how supporters create rituals faster than governing bodies can design them. Official tournament music may dominate broadcasts, but stadium identity is usually built through repetition: one song, one celebration and one memorable result at a time.
The timing matters. A victory over Croatia, if the reported account is accurate, gives the song an emotional starting point. Should England continue progressing, Wonderwall could become attached to the wider story of the tournament rather than just one night in Dallas.
The next England fixture will test whether the chorus travels. If supporters sing it again after another strong result, Wonderwall may move from spontaneous celebration to established tournament tradition. Sweet Caroline will remain part of England’s recent football culture, but the 2026 campaign appears to have found its own refrain.