Guram Kashia & Gigi Dedalamazishvili on John Lennon, Oasis, and a Nation’s Punk-Rock Energy

This story is part of Billboard’s Global World Cup Series, a collection of 11 cover stories which pairs top soccer stars across the world competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with highly-touted musicians in accompanying countries.

There come moments when the heart of an entire country begins to beat in a single rhythm. The summer of Euro 2024 was exactly that: a football championship that brought shared joy to Georgia. The success of our national team united people of different generations.

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It is true that today the world recognizes the Georgian football fairytale by the name of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but this historic success needed two main things: the leader of the national team, whom we tell you about in this article, and the soundtrack that became the musical companion to this great story.

For this special project, Billboard Georgia brought together the two people who gifted the fans an incredible spark: in the stadium, Guram Kashia; and on the stage, Gigi Dedalamazishvili.

The Song That Transcended the Stadium

“Sakartveloa” (“It is Georgia”) was originally created as a song for the national team, but it quickly became much more. It turned into a shared ritual of sorts. It echoed through stadiums and was sung by the fans.

Part I: The Athlete

Gigi: What was the very first song, or sound, that you remember loving from your childhood?

Guram: When I was a kid, around six years old, my father was always listening to The Beatles. The very first song I fell in love with and still remember today was Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday.” That melody is deeply connected to my childhood, and whenever I listen to it, it takes me right back to those years.

Gigi: Do you have a standout World Cup from the past or a song that reminds you of that time?

Guram: My first World Cup memory is Roberto Baggio’s missed penalty at the 1994 tournament. As for a song, it’s Shakira’s “Waka Waka.” Wherever I hear it, I immediately think of the World Cup. Though, strictly from a football perspective, the 2010 World Cup wasn’t a standout tournament for me personally.

Gigi: We were so proud that our song “Sakartveloa” connected so closely with the people during Euro 2024. As the captain, when you saw this kind of support around the team, did you feel that energy transferring onto the pitch?

Guram: “Sakartveloa” is a very special song for us players. We have amazing memories attached to it, and whenever I hear this song, I get goosebumps and fill with pride. I definitely have a unique connection with it because it associates with such good, proud moments. It’s a song that reminds the Georgian people, and especially the players, of purely joyful times.

Gigi: Do you listen to music before a game, and what’s on your playlist right now?

Guram: When I was younger, I used to build my motivation with music before games. Lately, I need it less. I prepare differently now. But years ago, music definitely played a huge role for me. I was an active listener of Kanye West. His energy, his lyrics, and the aggressive emotions that come with his music always motivated me. Now, I listen to calmer music that I understand better. I listen to a lot of Mac Miller, I returned to Oasis, and recently, I’ve been listening to their music very frequently. Gigi: When we watch the games, we see you singing the national anthem with your whole heart. What are you thinking about in that moment?

Guram: Probably the thing I’m worst at, and what makes me uncomfortable in public, is singing. However, in that moment when the anthem plays, I am so proud, and everything is so emotional, that I genuinely don’t care how I sound. Performing the anthem is a special moment for me, and I always want to sing it from the heart. It’s one of the most sincere forms of expressing love for my country. When I watch the videos with my child, we often laugh heartily about it, but I truly sing with my whole heart.

Gigi: You have a tattoo connected to a legendary musician. What does that symbol mean to you personally?

Guram: My love for music started with The Beatles. Initially, my father practically forced me to listen to them. John Lennon was his favorite musician, and he made me listen to him a lot. My father passed away a few years ago, and I honored his memory by getting a John Lennon tattoo. This tattoo carries deeply special memories for me, both in terms of music and my relationship with my father. Listening to The Beatles always reminds me of him, though since he passed, I can’t often bring myself to listen to them. That music reminds me of a time that will never return, and that’s very hard for me.

Gigi: Imagine today’s national team as a music genre. What would it be?

Guram: The team’s genre would probably be punk-rock. It’s a young team, we are shaping up right now, and we play a type of football that truly suits punk-rock, especially considering our style!

Part II: The Artist

The below responses are all from Gigi Dedalamazishvili.

Between the stage and the pitch: “I think footballers and musicians are very similar. First of all, both serve the craft they love. When you have the blessing to stand on a stage or walk onto the pitch, it comes with immense responsibility. I can only imagine the magnitude of that feeling for a footballer, especially when you represent the Georgian national team and every step you take is directly linked to your country’s name.”

A song that connects generations: “Even in my boldest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined that ‘Sakartveloa’ would connect different generations quite like this. This is football’s greatest merit. We dedicated the song to the national team from the very beginning. The first time I heard the stadium singing it, I couldn’t hold back my tears. There is no musician who doesn’t dream of their melody echoing at a national team match. Deepest thanks to the fans, and especially to these young footballers who are growing up listening to our music.”

My personal World Cup: “Speaking of football soundtracks, the first one that comes to mind is the Italian ‘Notti Magiche’ from the 1990 World Cup. My father used to listen to this anthem a lot. But my absolute favorite and standout is the 1998 World Cup. I was 12 years old, and it was the first World Cup I watched from start to finish.”

_Originally reported by [Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/music/features/world-cup-2026-georgia-guram-kashia-gigi-dedalamazishvili-1236263443/)._