The Official FIFA World Cup 26 BostonTM Sonic ID
FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston Host City is proud to announce the debut of the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston Sonic ID, A unique audio composition that connects the FIFA World Cup 26™ with the local community in a unique and memorable way, created in collaboration with the Berklee College of Music.
“When we learned that we would be creating a unique Boston-infused sound for the FIFA World Cup 26™, we knew that we wanted to work with the talented students and faculty at Berklee College of Music,” said Julie Duffy, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston. “As a world-class institute of contemporary music and the performing arts, Berklee is the perfect collaborator for this inspirational project.”
Each of the 16 Host Cities selected a local producer to remix the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Theme, infusing it with the distinct rhythm, vibe, and cultural essence unique to their city. Boston is the only Host City to partner with a college or university to create its unique soundscape. Listeners will hear Boston’s Sonic ID at select city events, in Boston Stadium during matches, and throughout the region during FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston’s marketing and communications campaign.
Working with Rodney Alejandro, Dean, Professional Writing and Music Technology Division, and student composers Ben Zakharenko (Electronic Production and Design and Games and Interactive Media Scoring, class of ‘25) and Dayvin (Electronic Production and Design and Songwriting, class of ‘25), the team found its inspiration in the City’s diversity, rich history, and revolutionary spirit. Throughout the almost three-minute audio, listeners will detect a mix of musical styles from fife and fiddle interludes, to acoustic guitar, 80s beats, and contemporary sounds.
“Boston is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, and we wanted to highlight this diversity. The Sonic ID features historical elements, hip hop and rock leaning, and the sounds reflective of today’s modern city,” said Dayvin. “Boston is also a coastal city, so you’ll hear that expressed through water droplets and crashing waves.”
“It is important that this sound represents the community – everyone in the community,” said Ben Zakharenko. “We incorporated not just Boston’s Celtic origins and revolutionary spirit, but also its 80s beats, and found inspiration from local music legends including Aerosmith, New Kids on the Block, the Dropkick Murphys, and Boston Symphony Orchestra.”
“This is an incredible opportunity and a dream to partner with the biggest sports event in the world to create something that will be heard on a global stage,” said Rodney Alejandro. “The magnitude of FIFA’s reach is unfathomable, and a well-deserved spotlight for Ben and Dayvin’s talents.”
Fans can follow the release of each Sonic ID at fifaworldcup.com.