England's World Cup campaign has found its anthem — and it is not Sweet Caroline. The Oasis classic Wonderwall has swept through the tournament, uniting players and supporters in a wave of collective emotion that Sweet Caroline, long since past its best, could never hope to match.

The images from Atlanta told the story: Harry Kane and his teammates facing the England-clad stands, belting out the lyrics alongside thousands of supporters. The occasion felt all the more significant given England had trailed for 68 minutes in that match before eventually winning 2-1 against DR Congo.

A song that means something

Wonderwall is not simply a catchy tune. It carries weight — built on hope, longing, and the idea of a saviour arriving when one is most needed. For a nation that has waited 60 years to bring football home, those themes resonate far beyond the stadium walls.

Kane, speaking on the Lions' Den podcast, described the first singalong — following England's group-stage win over Croatia — as one of his favourite moments in an England shirt. "Just that emotional connection with the fans, we know how much it means to them," the captain said.

The scene was repeated after the victory over DR Congo, and with even greater intensity. At the final whistle, Kane let out a roared "YEEEEEES!" — a man as carried away by the moment as anyone inside the ground.

Noel hands it over

Noel Gallagher, who wrote the song, gave the move his blessing in a recent interview with The Sun. "Wonderwall belongs to the people, and it has become a magical moment between the fans and the players," he said. Meanwhile, Liam Gallagher's message to the squad was typically direct: keep the biblical vibrations going.

The shift away from Sweet Caroline has been welcomed almost universally. The Neil Diamond number had grown stale through the Gareth Southgate years, stripped of any genuine feeling long before this tournament began. Wonderwall arrived as a genuine replacement, not merely a substitute.

What comes next

England now face a sterner test. A knockout tie at the Estadio Azteca against Mexico is a significant challenge, and manager Thomas Tuchel has tactical questions to resolve — how to distribute the creative burden beyond Kane, which wide pairing to deploy, and who occupies the troublesome right-back berth.

Off the pitch, those questions feel secondary. Wonderwall has a way of silencing doubt, at least temporarily. Anyone who attended one of Oasis' reunion shows last year will know the sensation — the involuntary urge to sing, to embrace a stranger, to feel part of something larger than yourself.

England's run in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is building. Plans for watching Mexico vs England in the small hours are being made across the country. And somewhere in the background, Wonderwall is already playing.