FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ ALBUM KICKS OFF
WITH “LIGHTER” BY JELLY ROLL & CARÍN LEÓN, PRODUCED BY CIRKUT

UNITES CANADA, MEXICO & THE UNITED STATES
FOR FIRST FIFA WORLD CUP™ EVER HOSTED BY
THREE NATIONS

LISTEN TO “LIGHTER” HERE

March 20, 2026 – Today, the official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album rollout begins with the global release of “Lighter” by Jelly Roll and Carín León, produced by Cirkut, via Def Jam Recordings. “Lighter” marks the first chapter of a groundbreaking album created for the most inclusive FIFA World Cup™ in history. Listen to “Lighter” HERE.

A collaboration between three defining artists from the tournament’s host nations – Jelly Roll (United States), Carín León (Mexico), and Cirkut (Canada), the 2026 GRAMMY® Award Winner for Producer of the Year – “Lighter” brings together the three host countries through one collaborative sound. Blending Jelly Roll’s country roots with Carín León’s regional Mexican influence, the track bridges genres, reflecting the shared cultural energy of North America and the global passion of the game.

“The FIFA World Cup is one of the rare moments when the entire world moves to the same rhythm,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album is not simply a musical accompaniment to the tournament; it’s a statement about where the global game is going. By bringing together artists whose voices resonate across continents, we are creating something that mirrors the scale, ambition and cultural impact of this historic competition. Lighter marks the beginning of that journey. It is a powerful expression of resilience, energy and joy – a song that will connect with fans everywhere and become part of the atmosphere in stadiums, fan celebrations and communities around the world throughout the tournament.”

Reflecting on the track and collaboration, Jelly Roll shares: “Music has a way of reaching people in places you’d never expect, and the way this song came together with Carin Leon and Cirkut is proof of that. I’ve had a whole lot of respect for both of them for a long time, so getting to come together on this record has been real special. Grateful to be able to share it with folks all over the world.”

“Collaborating with an artist like Jelly Roll, and doing so for nothing less than the biggest sporting event in the world, is something that fills me with pride,” adds Carín León. “As a Mexican, I’m incredibly excited to be part of this project and to bring a piece of our music and culture to so many corners of the world. Very grateful for the opportunity and happy to share what we love most: music from the soul.”

On shaping the record, Cirkut notes: “Working with Jelly Roll and Carín León on the first record of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album was a real honor. We wanted to create something that carries the sound and soul of the host countries, and hits in a way that connects with fans around the world.”

As the opening release from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album, “Lighter” signals a new era for FIFA World Cup music. The album will reflect the multifaceted nature of the beautiful game – different styles, different paces and different cultures working together in harmony. The full album will feature artists across continents and genres, purposefully curated to mirror the diversity of the 48-team tournament and the global communities it represents. By bringing together established global stars and emerging voices, the project serves as a strategic cultural bridge, connecting football audiences with music communities and inviting fans to engage with the artists they already love.

ABOUT JELLY ROLL

3X GRAMMY® award-winning Nashville native Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) continues to redefine the word entertainer. With the release of his 2026 GRAMMY Award winning Best Contemporary Country Album, Beautifully Broken, he topped the Billboard 200 all-genre chart and earned his second #1 Billboard Country Album chart debut. Acclaimed by Rolling Stone, Billboard, NPR, and more, Beautifully Broken features #1 songs “I Am Not Okay,” “Liar,” and “Heart of Stone.” 2024/2025 has only continued the singer/songwriter's momentum, with numerous nominations and award wins, including his first three GRAMMYs at the 2026 ceremony, his eighth consecutive #1 at Country radio and chart-topping hits across numerous genre charts, as well as a landmark appearance as the musical guest on SNL’s 50th Anniversary Season Premiere episode. Solidifying his place as one of music’s most authentic and powerful voices, he’s performed at stages across the world-from his record-breaking Beautifully Broken Tour to the first concert at St. Peter's Square, Grace for the World: The Live Event in Rome. The year also produced his GRAMMY Award winning collaboration with Brandon Lake, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and went on to hold a record-breaking number of weeks at #1 on Christian radio and took home Song of the Year at the DOVE awards. Beautifully Broken followed his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, which made history as the biggest Country debut on the Billboard Consumption Chart and debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Albums and Top 3 on the Billboard 200. Whitsitt Chapel also garnered his wins for Billboard Breakthrough Award, CMA’s New Artist of the Year Award, and the People’s Choice Award for Male Country Artist of the Year as well as additional ACM, CMA, Billboard, AMA and DOVE nominations and wins. Beyond music, Jelly continues his mission—visiting correctional and rehab centers across the US and internationally to help bring music to some of the darkest corners and donating a recording studio to the juvenile center where he was once incarcerated. Praised for both his music and his uniquely authentic power to inspire, Variety notes "for everyone who’s facing the same struggles, Jelly Roll is their Springsteen" while American Songwriter hails him as “a force to be reckoned with.”

ABOUT CARÍN LEÓN

Carín León has established himself as one of the most influential figures in contemporary Latin music since his solo debut in 2018. With a distinctive style that blends regional Mexican music with a diverse range of genres, including pop, rock, and other global sounds, the Hermosillo, Sonora native has won four Latin GRAMMYs®, two back-to-back GRAMMYs®, and several diamond, gold and platinum certifications. His versatility is showcased through high-caliber collaborations with superstars such as Bon Jovi, Carlos Santana, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Maluma, C. Tangana, and Camilo, among others, as well as performances on global stages, including the Grand Ole Opry, Coachella, and Viña del Mar, where he received the gold and silver Gaviota awards. In 2025, he shattered the RODEOHOUSTON’s attendance record and toured Europe with the “Boca Chueca Tour,” and in 2026, he’ll become the first Latin artist to perform at Las Vegas Sphere. Recognized as the global ambassador of Música Mexicana, Carín continues to break barriers and inspire new generations.

ABOUT CIRKUT

Grammy-winning, multi-RIAA Diamond-certified producer and songwriter Cirkut has defined pop and crossover music for nearly two decades. With 10 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, billions of streams, and a catalog of culture-shifting anthems that have dominated radio, clubs, and charts worldwide, Cirkut’s influence is undeniable.

The year 2025 marked one of the most impactful runs of Cirkut’s career, culminating in seven GRAMMY nominations, making him the second most-nominated individual overall for the 2026 GRAMMYs. His nominations included Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical, Album Of The Year, and two nods each for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year. These honors recognize his work co-producing Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM — which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and signaled a bold sonic reinvention for one of pop’s biggest stars — as well as co-writing and producing the global smash “APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars, which topped the Billboard Global 200 for 12 weeks. Additionally, Billboard ranked Cirkut No. 3 in the Top Producers of the 21st Century on the Hot 100.

Beyond his recent accolades, Cirkut’s legacy includes production credits on some of the most influential pop records of the century, including ‘brat’ Charli xcx, “Unholy” Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Starboy” and “I Feel It Coming” (The Weeknd), “Wrecking Ball” (Miley Cyrus), “Dark Horse” and “Roar” (Katy Perry), “Girls Like You” (Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B), and “Sweet but Psycho” (Ava Max).

For more information, please contact Samantha Tillman or Carla Sacks at Sacks & Co., 212.741.1000.