Though Konami’s Winning Eleven series can consistently take the crown as the best-reviewed soccer game year after year, there’s one place where EA’s seminal footy simulation has always been stellar: the tunes. FIFA has recruited the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Blur, Robbie Williams, Timo Maas, Fatboy Slim, Gorillaz, Kings of Leon and Moby have all contributed theme tracks to the game, and they’re merely the first of a loooooong line of big-name artists.

As the years have gone on, though, EA has continually sought to expand the scope of the series’ soundtrack, incorporating the worldwide themes of artists. This even spilled over to a degree into their arcade footy game FIFA Street 2, making for one of the best parts of the game, we mentioned in our review. 2006 FIFA World Cup apparently took this as some kind of challenge, because the soundtrack up for grabs this year is as diverse as it’s ever been.

"The FIFA World Cup is the most exhilarating, action-packed and emotional sports event in the world. No matter where you are -- London, Munich, Sao Paolo or Tokyo -- unforgettable songs pulsate through the stadiums, flood the streets and fill your heart,” giggled EA’s Worldwide Executive of Music, Steve Schnur, his fists balled up as his eyes danced with fire. “That is the spirit that we wanted to capture for the in-game soundtrack in 2006 FIFA World Cup. We have assembled an unparalleled collection of exhilarating music from around the world that guarantees there's something for everyone."

35 artists have been culled together to form this year’s soundtrack, which hits musical stops all over Europe, Taiwan, the UK, Australia, Sweden, Israel, South America, South Africa, and more, featuring everything from pop to electronica to rock to dance remixes from Jacque Lu Cont (who managed to turn The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” into an even more infectious hit) and the guy who actually found a way to make 80s neon spandex hot all while butchering a Steve Winwood chorus, Eric Prydz – and that’s just the stuff we recognized. Dig it:

[ SONG | ARTIST | COUNTRY ]
9 To 5 | Lady Sovereign | England
A Pain That I Am Used To (Jacque Lu Cont Remix) | Depeche Mode | England
Aloha (Wari Boom) | Polinesia | Spain
And Do You Feel Scared (The Eric Prydz Mix) | Howard Jones | England/Sweden
Big City Life | Mattafix | England
Chelsea | Stefy Rae | USA
Cuentale | Ivy Queen | Puerto Rico
Dance In My Blood | Men Women And Children | USA
Definition | Resin Dogs featuring Mystro & Hau | Australia
DesiRock | Swami | England
Destroy Everthing You Touch | Ladytron | England
Do-Dee-Dee-Deem-Dum (Sculptured) | Calanit | Israel
Down In the Past (Moonbootica Remix) | Mando Diao | Sweden
Fighter | Maximus Dan | Trinidad
Hip Hip Hooray (Dub Mix) | Sneaky Soundsystem | Australia
Ie Mae Jah | DuSouto | Brazil
La Prima Volta | F4 | Italy
Love Is On Our Side | Frank Popp Ensemble | Germany
Mas Que Nada | Sergio Mendes feat. The Black Eyed Peas | Brazil/USA
Namara | DT8 Project featuring Mory Kante | England/Republic of Guinea
Never Win | Fisherspooner | USA
People Shining | Furius K & Lou Valentino | France
Poker Face | Van Ness Wu | China/Taiwan
Sobremesa | Masrhon | Dominican Republic
Sweat | Urban Puppets | Sweden
The Calling | KES | Trinidad
The Other Way Round | Gabin featuring China Moses | Italy
The Power Is On | The Go! Team | England
Tiempo De Drumba (Dj Panko Remix) | Ojos De Brujo | Spain
Tijuana Makes Me Happy | Nortec Collective | Mexico
TipTop | tiptop | Germany
Tokyo, Tokyo | Die Raketen | Germany
What World | Damien J. Carter | Germany
Whatever You Want From Life | Voicst | Holland
X Girlfriend | Zola featuring Maduvha | South Africa

Now to find out who like 90% of these band are...