KARACHI: FIFA has once again embraced Pakistani music, this time to celebrate French footballer Kylian Mbappe. FIFA has now featured the viral song “Blockbuster” in a video celebrating Mbappe’s “entry” onto the field.

In a recent TikTok post, FIFA showcased Mbappe’s on-field highlights set to the catchy Punjabi song. The track, composed and written by Pakistani artists Zulfikar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi), Umair Butt, Faris Shafi, and Shamroz Butt, was accompanied by the caption: “Mbappe’s ‘BLOCKBUSTER’ entry”. The vocals for “Blockbuster,” which carries an old folk music vibe, were provided by Faris Shafi, a renowned Pakistani rapper, alongside Umair Butt and the all-female Gharwi Group, which includes Abida, Rooha Rawal, Sajida Bibi, and Saba Hassan. Released as part of Coke Studio Pakistan’s season 15 in May, the song has become popular among millions of Pakistanis and has received international acclaim. Xulfi expressed his excitement on Instagram upon discovering FIFA’s post: “From Coke Studio Pakistan to FIFA’s global stage - our ‘Blockbuster’ just made an appearance with Mbappe on FIFA’s official TikTok page!

This feels surreal. Our voice, our beats transcending boundaries, creating timelines that were once deemed improbable. Congratulations Pakistan. This is wonderful and this is huge.” The song’s popularity surged due to its danceable tune and one-take music video. It also trended on Spotify India, where listeners commented on its international success. One Indian listener remarked, “It seems as if I have arrived at the border while scrolling.”