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Despite England’s World Cup Heartbreak, Could Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ Hit No. 1 in the U.K. for the First Time?
England's World Cup 2026 campaign ended on 15 July with a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina, dashing hopes of a first final appearance in 60 years after two late Argentine goals. Despite the loss, Oasis's 1995 track "Wonderwall" is now poised to achieve something the team could not: its first-ever No. 1 on the UK's Official Singles Chart, having become an unofficial anthem for England fans and players throughout the tournament.
The song, which previously peaked at No. 2 in 1995, was adopted after England's opening 4-2 win over Croatia and was subsequently sung by players including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham after each match, with Kane calling the Mexico City rendition one of "the greatest moments in an England shirt". Both Gallagher brothers publicly backed the trend on social media. A midweek sales flash shows the track climbing to No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart, having already jumped from No. 32 to No. 8 the previous week, with 19,210 combined sales and streams so far, behind only Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's "Rein Me In". A No. 1 would be Oasis's ninth chart-topper and the first for "Wonderwall" itself.
In short
- England lost 2026 World Cup semi-final to Argentina on 15 July
- Oasis's "Wonderwall" became the team's unofficial singalong anthem
- Song is close to its first-ever UK No. 1, now at No. 2
Explained simply
England's 2026 World Cup campaign ended in a semi-final defeat to Argentina on 15 July, when two late goals eliminated the team before it could reach a final for the first time in 60 years. The loss came after the country had experienced an encouraging run through the tournament.
The 1995 Oasis song "Wonderwall" became an unofficial anthem during England's World Cup campaign, particularly after the team's opening victory over Croatia. Players including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham sang the track following matches, and Oasis members Liam and Noel Gallagher publicly supported the trend on social media. Despite remaining one of the band's most recognisable songs, "Wonderwall" has never previously reached number one on the UK singles chart.
Since the World Cup ended, "Wonderwall" has climbed significantly up the UK chart, driven by its connection to England's campaign and the response to their semi-final defeat. The song is now in contention for the number-one spot, which would be a first for the track.