The World Cup 2026 song “Lighter” by Jelly Roll and Carín León is honestly not what many expected, and not in a good way. When you think of a World Cup song, you expect something exciting and energetic that gets people hyped before games, however, this song feels slow and boring. It tries to be emotional and meaningful, but it just does not match the vibe of a global soccer tournament where fans are loud and full of energy.

One thing that is worth noting is that the idea behind the song makes sense. It talks about rising up, staying strong and chasing your dreams, which connects to what the World Cup is all about. Furthermore, the mix of English and Spanish is a great choice since the tournament is being hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This represents the different cultures and makes the song feel more global, which is something FIFA usually tries to do with their World Cup songs.

However, even with that, the song still does not work. The biggest issue is the lack of energy. A World Cup song is supposed to be something you hear in a stadium or before a match and immediately feel excited, but this song feels more like something you would listen to alone with headphones. It’s not something people are going to chant or play at parties. The beat is plain and doesn’t really build up to anything, which makes the beat feel flat the whole time.

Another big problem is that it doesn’t feel memorable. After listening to it, there’s no strong hook or chorus that stays in your head. Compared to older songs like “Waka Waka” or “We Are One,” those had catchy parts that people could easily remember and sing along to. This one just kind of passes by without leaving much of an impression.

Also, the combination of artists feels a little random. While both Jelly Roll and Carín León are talented, their styles don’t fully blend in a way that creates something exciting. Instead, it feels like two different vibes put together, which makes the song feel inconsistent at times.

Overall, “Lighter” is a weak World Cup song. It has a decent message and tries to be meaningful, but it completely misses the energy and excitement that a World Cup anthem should have. A lot of people online don’t seem to like it either, and you cannot blame them. This song would probably get a rating of a 4/10 as it doesn’t do what a World Cup song is supposed to do, which is to bring people together and get them hyped up for the games.