səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is proud to be involved in the creation of Vancouver’s Sonic ID remix track for the FIFA World Cup 26™ . In the past few months, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Vancouver Host Committee team has been working with FIFA Canada and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and acclaimed producer Grayson Repp to bring Vancouver’s remix of the FIFA Sonic ID to life.
Vancouver’s remix is the only song for FIFA World Cup 26™ to feature the sound of First Nations music and vocals, bringing powerful tradition and cultural connection to the tournament’s soundtrack.
Tsleil-Waututh Members William George-Thomas and Robert D. George were invited into a recording studio to share Tsleil-Waututh Nation culture through drumming and singing. They shared the following insights about his involvement in the creation of the track:
“This Sonic ID remix is a great opportunity to represent not only our Nation but our families here in Tsleil-Waututh. As for the sounds in the song, it feels good to be recognized as an Indigenous person. It’s also a good way to let people know that we (as Indigenous people) are still here on the land. We’re still singing our songs and dancing our dances!”
– Robert D. George, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
“The welcome song intention is to welcome all from far and close to feel welcomed in our traditional territories.”
– William George-Thomas, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
The Vancouver Sonic ID remix will be featured in advance of the FIFA World Cup 26™, online, at in-person events, in-stadium, and at Vancouver’s FIFA Fan Festival™. Anyone can stream and download the Vancouver Sonic ID remix and the full 16-track collection on Spotify, Apple Music and other major platforms. The accompanying music video is available on the FWC26Vancouver’s Instagram, X , and Facebook accounts @FWC26 Vancouver.
Watch the video of the remix and learn more on the FIFA World Cup 26™ Vancouver website at the link below.
