Bosnian band's song becomes unofficial anthem for World Cup campaign

Bosnian group Dubioza Kolektiv released the satirical track “U.S.A.” in 2011, reflecting young people’s longing to leave Bosnia for a better life in America. Fifteen years later the song resurfaced as the de‑facto anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s soccer team after the nation’s surprise playoff victory over Italy secured a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – only the second qualification since independence.

To mark the achievement, the band rewrote the lyrics and filmed a new video in a Sarajevo neighbourhood. The updated version celebrates Bosnia’s World Cup journey, where the side has so far drawn one match and lost another in Group B. The video has amassed millions of views on YouTube, turning a migration‑themed tune into a rallying cry for national pride amid the lingering legacy of the 1990s war.