Eurovision 2009’s Arash Labaf and his all-star team present their FIFA World Cup 2018 anthem Goalie goalie.

Iranian-Swedish artist and top producer Arash, who represented Azerbaijan alongside singer AySel (Aysel Teymurzadeh) at Eurovision 2009, has unveiled his FIFA World Cup 2018 song Goalie goalie.

He collaborated with successful Russian singer-songwriter Nyusha (Anna Vladimirovna Shurochkina, official Russian spokesperson at Eurovision 2016 and ambassador of the FIFA World Cup 2018), popular American rapper Pitbull (Armando Christian Pérez) and American hit lyricist and vocal producer Blanco “The Ear” (Bennie Amey III).

Goalie goalie was furthermore written by Swedish-Congolese popstar Mohombi (Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo) together with Pitbull, Blanco, Cederic Lorrain, Alexandru Cotoi, Andrei Ropcea and Cezar Cazano. Production was by Alexandru Cotoi, co-produced by Andrei Ropcea and Bennie Amey III.

Uniting colours, continents and cultures

Goalie goalie celebrates diversity with its international superstar line-up, capturing the spirit of the World Cup. Arash says:

My biggest passions in life are football and music. I believed that if music didn’t work out, I could succeed in football. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest event in the World, uniting people from all continents. This year’s tournament in Russia will be an incredible experience! I would like to spread more positive energy so I recorded the song ‘Goalie Goalie’. I am extremely humbled and excited to be there in person to perform and support the games.

Russian star Nyusha, one of the countries most popular female artists, stated:

Music should unite us, no matter what our creed or skin color. Our collaboration (with Pitbull, Arash and Blanco) is an anthem to connect different cultures and people. Also, it’s important for me to let all foreign guests know that Russian people are very welcoming and genial.

Arash and his fellow artists premiered Goalie goalie at the Opening Event of the FIFA World Cup 2018 on 14 June.

The official music video for Goalie goalie was directed by Farbod Khoshtinat, executive producer was Kasra Pezeshki.

Arash at Eurovision

Arash Labaf (Tehran, Iran, 1977) is an internationally acclaimed Iranian-Swedish singer and producer with Azerbaijani roots. When he was ten years old, he moved with his family from Iran to Sweden.

Together with singer AySel he represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia. With their entry Always, AySel & Arash eventually reached an honourable 3rd place in the Grand Final, receiving 207 points.