From penalties to Pavarotti and Beckham to Bruckner: classical music and football are closer than you might thinkThis article explores the surprising connections between classical music and football (soccer), examining how composers like Verdi, Puccini, and Bruckner have been football fans, and how classical music has been used in football contexts from World Cup anthems to stadium playlists. It draws parallels between the emotional arcs of opera and football matches, and highlights specific examples such as Pavarotti's "Nessun Dorma" becoming synonymous with the 1990 World Cup, and the use of classical pieces in football culture.bsky·Jun 17, 2026
