A satirical Bosnian song becomes an unexpected World Cup anthem

Dubioza Kolektiv’s satirical song “USA,” released in 2011, was never meant to become a football anthem. Yet 15 years later, the track, with its catchy refrain, “I’m from Bosnia, take me to America,” has turned into an unofficial rallying song for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup run.

The song originally captured the disappointment of young people who dreamed of leaving Bosnia for a better life abroad, using irony to poke at migration and the American dream. This year it gained new life after Bosnia and Herzegovina’s surprising playoff win over Italy sent the national team to the World Cup for only the second time since independence.

The qualification brought joy to a country still living with the effects of the devastating 1990s war. Dubioza Kolektiv rewrote the lyrics to celebrate Bosnia’s place in the tournament and released a new video filmed in one of Sarajevo’s neighborhoods. The updated version turned a song about leaving home into a unifying expression of national pride.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have so far played two matches in Group B at the tournament, drawing one and losing one. The new video has been watched millions of times on YouTube.