Allez Ola Olé – The Eurovision song that became a World Cup anthem

Jessy Matador performing Allez Ola Olé 

When France selected Allez Ola Olé for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010, the nation wasn't just preparing for Europe's biggest music event. 

With the FIFA World Cup only weeks away, the country was also gearing up for football fever.

Performed by Jessy Matador, the infectious track blended African rhythms, dance beats and football chants into one of the most memorable Eurovision entries of the decade. 

While its Eurovision result was respectable, the song's legacy extends far beyond the contest stage, becoming forever linked with the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

France turns to football fever

Following a disappointing run of Eurovision results throughout the 2000s, France sought a fresh approach for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo.

The French broadcaster internally selected Jessy Matador, a singer and dancer of Congolese heritage who had already enjoyed success in the French music scene with his energetic blend of coupé-décalé and dance music.

His chosen Eurovision song, Allez Ola Olé, arrived at the perfect moment. 

The title itself echoed the chants heard in football stadiums around the world.

Allez Ola Olé refers to the album Music of the World Cup: Allez! Ola! Ole!, released in 1998 to coincide with the 1998 World Cup, held in France.

Released a month before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the song was positioned as an unofficial soundtrack to the tournament after being used by French broadcaster France Télévisions as The Summerhit of 2010 and also for promoting the FIFA World Cup.

Bringing the party to Eurovision

At Eurovision 2010, France delivered one of the contest's most energetic performances.

Jessy Matador and his dancers transformed the stage into a carnival-like celebration filled with vibrant colours, choreography and infectious enthusiasm. 

While many competing entries focused on emotional ballads or polished pop productions, France stood out by offering three minutes of pure party energy.

The performance perfectly matched the upbeat atmosphere of the song and quickly became a fan favourite among viewers looking for something fun and memorable.

Although some critics questioned whether the song felt more like a football anthem than a traditional Eurovision entry, there was little doubt that it succeeded in getting audiences dancing.

When the votes were counted, France finished in 12th place with 82 points.

The winner of Eurovision 2010 was Germany's Lena with Satellite, but France's entry remained one of the contest's most talked about songs thanks to its catchy chorus and energetic staging.

Though it was shy of a Top 10 finish it was still one of France's better performing Eurovision entries of the 2010's decade.

A lasting Eurovision legacy

More than 15 years later, Allez Ola Olé remains one of France's most distinctive Eurovision entries.

The song has amassed over 86 millions views on YouTube (Eurovision performance and two music videos combined) and over 44 million streams on Spotify.

While it may not have finished among the contest's top performers, it achieved something many Eurovision songs never manage. It became associated with a major global sporting event.

The song's infectious energy, memorable chorus and football-inspired spirit have helped it endure long after Eurovision 2010 concluded. 

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