It starts as a low rumble. A single voice, almost hesitant, cutting through the humid air of a packed stadium. Then, a second voice joins. Then ten. Suddenly, thousands of lungs are screaming in unison, a rhythmic, pounding mantra that feels more like a war cry than a simple cheer. I believe that we can win. If you've spent any time watching the U.S. Men’s or Women’s National Soccer teams over the last decade, those seven words are burned into your brain. They aren't just lyrics. They’re a psychological phenomenon. Honestly, it’s one of those rare instances where a chant becomes more famous than the actual game being played.
But where did it actually come from? Most people think it’s a modern invention, something cooked up by a marketing agency in a glass office to sell jerseys. It’s not. The real history of the chant is way more grassroots, and frankly, way more interesting than the polished version we see on TV during the World Cup. It’s a story about a naval officer, a high school basketball game, and the weird way that sports culture can turn a simple sentence into a national anthem of hope.
The Naval Academy Roots You Probably Didn't Know About
We have to go back to 1998. It wasn't a soccer stadium. It wasn't even a professional sports arena. The phrase i believe that we can win actually traces its lineage to the United States Naval Academy.
A Midshipman named Corey Williams is generally credited with the spark. He didn't write it as a pop song. He wrote it as a way to fire up his fellow students. The structure is built on a "call and response" format, which is a staple of military cadences. You know the vibe—one person shouts a line, and the group bellows it back. It creates this escalating wall of sound.
- I!
- I believe!
- I believe that!
- I believe that we!
- I believe that we can win!
It’s repetitive. It’s simple. And that’s exactly why it works. It doesn't require a lyric sheet. You can learn it in four seconds. By the time you get to the final line, you’re basically jumping out of your skin.
After its birth in Annapolis, the chant started migrating. It didn't happen overnight. It was a slow burn. It showed up at high school games. It popped up at college basketball tournaments. For years, it was just this "cool thing" certain schools did. It was an underground hit before it went mainstream.
Why the 2014 World Cup Changed Everything
Fast forward to 2014. The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) is heading to Brazil for the World Cup. They’re in the "Group of Death" with Ghana, Portugal, and Germany. Nobody—literally nobody—expected them to survive.
This is where the chant shifted from a college tradition to a global brand. ESPN picked it up for their promotional campaign. They didn't just play the chant; they turned it into a cinematic experience. They showed fans in bars, kids in parks, and soldiers overseas all screaming those same words.
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It resonated because it tapped into the American underdog identity. We love being the team that isn't supposed to be there. When everyone says you're going to lose, saying i believe that we can win isn't just a cheer. It's an act of defiance. It became the sonic backdrop of the 2014 summer.
The USMNT actually beat Ghana in their opening match. They drew with Portugal in a heartbreaker. They lost to Germany but still advanced. Every step of the way, the chant grew louder. By the time they hit the knockout round against Belgium, the phrase was everywhere—on billboards, on Twitter, on T-shirts.
The Psychology of Why It Works (and Why Some People Hate It)
There is a real psychological mechanism at play here. It’s called collective effervescence. This is a term coined by sociologist Émile Durkheim to describe the sense of unity and "electric" energy that happens when a group of people performs the same action or says the same words at the same time.
When you shout those words, your brain releases oxytocin. You feel connected to the stranger standing next to you. It lowers your individual inhibitions. You aren't just a person in a seat anymore; you're part of a massive, singular organism.
However, not everyone is a fan.
If you talk to soccer purists, especially those who grew up with European or South American football culture, they find it... well, a bit cringe. They argue it’s too manufactured. They prefer the complex, melodic songs heard in the Premier League or the Bundesliga—songs that have dozens of verses and decades of history. To them, i believe that we can win is the "fast food" of chants. It’s quick, easy, and maybe a little lacking in nutritional value.
But that criticism misses the point of American sports culture. We don't have 100-year-old club histories in the same way. We have a culture built on high-energy, high-impact moments. The chant fits the American psyche perfectly because it is direct. It’s an American "Haka."
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Beyond Soccer: The Chant’s Life in Pop Culture
The chant didn't stay on the pitch. In 2013, the electronic duo GTA (Good Times Ahead) released a track titled "The Crowd," which featured the chant heavily. It became a staple of the EDM festival circuit.
Think about that for a second. You have a cheer started by a naval officer, popularized by soccer fans, and then blasted through 100,000-watt speakers at Coachella.
It’s also become a favorite in the NBA and MLB. The Golden State Warriors fans have used it. The Kansas City Royals fans used it during their 2014-2015 World Series runs. It’s a versatile tool. It doesn't matter if the ball is round or oval or stitched with leather; the sentiment remains the same.
The Evolution of the American Outlaws
You can't talk about this chant without mentioning the American Outlaws. They are the unofficial-official supporters group for U.S. Soccer. They have hundreds of chapters across the country.
They are the ones who organized the chaos. They took this chant and gave it a home. They’re the reason why, when you go to a U.S. match today, the drum corps knows exactly when to drop the beat. They turned a spontaneous outburst into a choreographed ritual.
Some critics say the American Outlaws rely on it too much. They want more variety. They want new songs. And honestly? They have a point. A culture that only has one song eventually gets stale. But you can't just "invent" a legendary chant. It has to happen naturally. You can't force the kind of magic that happened in 2014.
Real-World Impact: Does It Actually Help the Players?
Does hearing i believe that we can win actually change the outcome of a game?
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Athletes are divided. Some say they don't hear the crowd at all when they're "in the zone." Others, like former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard, have spoken about how the atmosphere in the stadium can provide a second wind.
When you're in the 85th minute, your legs are heavy, and your lungs are burning, hearing 20,000 people scream that they believe in you... it does something to your adrenaline. It’s a measurable physiological response. It’s the "Home Field Advantage" summarized in seven words.
Common Misconceptions About the Chant
- It was made by Nike or Adidas. Nope. While brands have used it in ads, it was 100% fan-created.
- It’s only for the U.S. National Team. While it’s their "signature" now, it’s used by thousands of high schools and colleges for every sport imaginable.
- It’s been around forever. It feels that way, but it’s really only been a national staple for about a decade.
How to Bring the Energy to Your Own Community
If you're a coach, a fan-leader, or just someone trying to build some team spirit, there are lessons to be learned from the success of this chant. It’s not just about the words. It’s about the delivery.
First, keep it simple. If people have to think about the lyrics, they won't scream them. They'll mumble them. Second, use the "slow build." The power of the chant comes from the silence between the words in the beginning. It builds tension. Third, you need a leader. You need that one person who isn't afraid to look a little crazy to get the ball rolling.
Practical Steps for Fans and Organizers:
- Establish a Rhythm: Don't rush it. The pauses are what make the "Win" at the end feel so powerful.
- Coordinate with Percussion: If you have a drum, use a steady, heart-beat thump.
- Don't Overuse It: If you do it every five minutes, it loses its soul. Save it for the moments when the team actually needs a lift—like a corner kick or the final ten minutes of a tight game.
- Check the Room: If the crowd is already demoralized, a "belief" chant can feel mocking. Use it when there's a spark of hope to fan.
The chant i believe that we can win is more than just sports noise. It’s a piece of modern American folklore. It’s a reminder that sports are best when they are participatory, not just something we watch on a screen. It’s the sound of a stadium full of people deciding, for a few seconds, that the impossible is actually pretty likely.
Whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or someone who only watches during the Olympics, you can't deny the power of that rhythm. It’s visceral. It’s loud. And it’s not going anywhere. The next time the U.S. takes the field on a world stage, listen for that first "I!" and try not to get goosebumps. It’s harder than you think.
To really understand the impact, look at the growth of soccer in the States since 2014. The numbers are staggering. Youth participation is up, MLS attendance is hitting record highs, and the cultural relevance of the sport has never been higher. You can't credit all of that to a chant, obviously. But the chant provided the soundtrack for that growth. It gave a new generation of fans a voice.
So, keep the tempo. Start slow. Let the belief build. Because honestly, in the world of sports, belief is often the only thing that actually matters. Without it, you're just watching people run around on grass. With it, you're watching history.
What to do next
- Watch the 2014 World Cup Highlight Reels: Specifically the Ghana game. You’ll hear the chant in its purest, most organic form before it became a commercial staple.
- Research the American Outlaws: If you want to get involved in supporters' culture, look up your local chapter. They usually meet at specific bars for every national team game.
- Try the Call-and-Response: If you’re a leader in any capacity—business, sports, or community—test out the call-and-response method for building engagement. It’s a proven way to align a group's focus instantly.