An EDM Guide to the World Cup
Contributing Writer Marcus K. Dowling

For the next month, most of the sports and entertainment loving world will have their eyes focused on South America – namely Brazil – as the 2014 edition of soccer’s World Cup takes place. There are those who feel as passionately about soccer as they do many things, namely dance music. As well, when one considers that top DJ/producers Tiesto, Afrojack, Sebastian Ingrosso and many others take part in a yearly charity soccer match during Miami Music Week, the pairing of soccer and dance does not appear as strange as it would seem.

Keeping that in mind, if looking for a preview of the World Cup that involves dance music, you’re in the right place. While also picking a field of the best eight choices to win it all, some choice dance cuts from those nations will be featured, too. As much as soccer provides a global language by which sports fans can unite, no matter the genre, this list should prove that dance has a similar way of connecting everyone.

10. Portugal

Biggest star: Cristiano Ronaldo

Plays club soccer for: Real Madrid (Spain)
Position: Forward

Must hear Portuguese dance track: Buraka Som Sistema – “Stoopid”
Best described as: A frenetic-paced Afro-centric bass party from the producers/DJs/live band with recording credits with the likes of MIA.

9. Netherlands

Biggest star(s): Arjen Robben and Robin Persie

Plays club soccer for: Robben plays for Bayern Munich (Germany), while Persie suits up for Manchester United (England)
Position: Both are forwards

Must hear Dutch dance track: Sidney Samson – “Trojan”
Best described as: Percussion-laden Dutch house music, and in sounding like 1000 horses galloping out to war, it’s – as per the expectation of a Sidney Samson track – an absolute bass-bin smasher.

8. Colombia

Biggest star: James Rodriguez

Plays club soccer for: AS Monaco (France)
Position: Midfielder

Must hear Colombian dance track: Shakira – “La La La” (Chus and Ceballos Remix)
Best described as: In the spirit of the World Cup, Spaniards Chus and Ceballos give Colombian vocalist Shakira’s World Cup anthem a more fiesta and less carnival-tinged spin. Faster and lighter, it’s built for a vibe-driven big room feel.

7. Belgium

Biggest star: Thibault Coutois

Plays club soccer for: Atletico Madrid (Spain)
Position: Goalkeeper

Must hear Belgian dance track: Technotronic – “Pump Up The Jam”
Best described as: Cheesy? Sure. But, this is an athletic event, so feel almost absolutely certain that this now nearly 30 year old techno-funk workout from the legendary Belgian trio is going to be played in more than a few stadiums.

6. England

Biggest star: Wayne Rooney

Plays club soccer for: Manchester United (England)
Position: Forward

Must hear English dance track: Maya Jane Coles – “Lost In The City”
Best described as: A melodious vocal sets in an insistent groove on this chilled, funky, heavy and deep cut. If not aware of the style of British superstar producer Maya Jane Coles, this is very much par for the course.

5. Italy

Biggest star: Mario Balotelli

Plays cub soccer for: AC Milan (Italy)
Position: Forward

Must hear Italian dance track: Benny Benassi and Gary Go – “Lake This Last Forever”
Best described as: The “Electroman” and master behind “Satisfaction” and “Cinema” returns for 2014 with a big room and festival anthem featuring the soaring and yearning vocal of British vocalist Gary Go and trademark thumping Benassi bassline.

4. Germany

Biggest star: Miroslav Klose

Plays club soccer for: Lazio (Italy)
Position: Forward

Must hear German dance track: London Grammar – “Hey Now” (Tensnake Remix)
Best described as: Nu disco don Tensnake wraps the vocal of UK top-40 diva London Grammar in four-on-the-floor drums and effervescent mood feeling like Giorgio Moroder’s “Chase” headed into a sunset.

3. Argentina

Biggest star: Lionel Messi

Plays club soccer for: Barcelona (Spain)
Position: Forward

Must hear Argentinian dance track: Jesse Rose – Underbelly (Guti Remix)
Best described as: Emotive and deep house maestro Guti gives the funky bounce of Dirtybird Records affiliate Jesse Rose a smoother feel on this remix from Rose’s latest album, The Whole Twelve Inches. Like peering into a hollow African drum pointed into the night air, this one narrows, and widens, providing a sound best described as a warped, elastic feel.

2. Brazil (Host country)

Biggest star: Neymar

Plays club soccer for: Barcelona (Spain)
Position: Forward

Must hear Brazilian dance track: M.I.A. – Bucky Done Gun
Best described as: Combine elements of Jamaican dancehall, American rap, Dominican dembow and reggaeton into a blender. Throw in a heavily-accented female vocal and you get “Bucky Done Gun,” M.I.A.’s 2005 minor hit single from her debut album Arular. Baile funk is Brazil’s most dominant organic national dance sound, and while many, many other DJs and producers make the sound, this single is its most notable mainstream moment.

1. Spain (Defending champion)

Biggest star: Xavi

Plays club soccer for: Barcelona
Position: Midfielder

Must hear Spanish dance track: Maceo Plex – “Conjure EP”
Best described as: A super-emotive vibe-master from Barcelona, Maceo Plex trends from trance to techno, always providing an earnest and honest vibe on his latest release. The Balearic mix of “Conjure” features a horn that makes it feel like a George Michael ballad but is empowered with a dark techno groove.