Dreamers by Jungkook review: BTS star scores with message of unity in World Cup song

The K-pop artist performed the track during the opening ceremony of the spectacle

The opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor. PA

Fireworks explode during the show. Getty Images

Mascots of former World Cups united. AP Photo

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim, centre, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, Jordan's King Abdullah II King of Jordan, left, and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, second right, at the opening ceremony. AFP

South Korean singer Jung Kook, centre, performs. AFP

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha. AFP

Singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performs. Getty Images

Performers welcomed the world during the opening ceremony. Reuters

A giant inflatable emblem during the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor City. PA

Performers during the opening ceremony. PA

Morgan Freeman performs on stage. Getty Images

The performers opened the show. EPA

The Qatar World Cup opening ceremony. Reuters

Dancers performing together. PA

The opening ceremony before the Qatar versus Ecuador game. EPA

Former footballer Marcel Desailly holds the Fifa World Cup trophy ahead of the opening ceremony. AFP

A young Qatar supporter at the stadium. EPA

Ecuador fans in the stands before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup. Reuters

A dancer performs at sunset before the Fifa World Cup kicks off with a Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. PA

Fans record moments from the first match of Qatar 2022 inside the Al Bayt World Cup stadium. Reuters

Performers outside the Al Bayt Stadium entertain the crowds before the Fifa World Cup 2022 Group A opening match between Qatar and Ecuador kicks off. EPA

A Qatar fan wears his national colours outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters

Fans arrive at the Al Bayt Stadium before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup begins. Reuters

Qatar fans on rollerblades outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters

Ecuador fans on their way to watch the opening match of the Qatar World Cup 2022. Reuters

A performer with a replica World Cup before the Fifa World Cup Group A match gets under way at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. PA

Jungkook's new single moves away from his signature K-Pop to Khaleeji pop.

Performed on Sunday as part of the Qatar World Cup opening ceremony, Dreamers is an uplifting track made for stadiums and is firmly rooted in the region.

Featuring Fahad Al Kubaisi, one of Qatar's most successful singers, the track has all the lyrical themes synonymous with sporting anthems.

There are references to "passion", "respect" and making dreams come true.

While it may all seem a little formulaic, it is the euphoric chorus, the Khaleeji percussion and chanted Arabic refrain that make the song an earworm and tailor-made for television montages throughout the tournament.

Although both artists do a solid job, the real goal scorer here is producer Red One.

As the tournament's executive director of entertainment, the Grammy Award-winning Moroccan-Swede and Dubai resident has been responsible for three other official tracks released so far.

Similar to previous efforts Light the Sky (featuring Emirati singer Balqees) and Hayya Hayya (Better Together) with Nigerian Afro-pop star Davido, he infuses Dreamers with the right amount of eastern and western influences to make it universal.

This means the lyrics and chorus are easy to follow and the refrain catchy enough to be sung by a global crowd in stadiums.

“This is really what a song like that should do,” he told The National in a previous interview.

"Sports or big events are all about emotions, and a theme song has to reflect that or help create those feelings.”

Dreamers is the latest official World Cup single to be released.

Let's take a closer look — and listen — at the others.

Tukoh Taka' featuring Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares

Featuring Lebanese artist Myriam Fares alongside rapper Nicki Minaj and Colombian singer Maluma, the sunny track is awash with cross-cultural influences with lyrics sung in English, Spanish and Arabic.

The lyrics form a call for unity and to celebrate our differences.

'Light the Sky' featuring Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad, Manal and RedOne

Featuring Emirati singer Balqees, Iraqi singer Rahma Riad and Morocco's Nora Fatehi, Light the Sky is all about creating a party vibe and comes with the kind of walloping and easy-to-chant chorus fit for stadiums packed with international fans.

‘Arhbo’ featuring Ozuna & Gims

Released in August, this is another deft mix of cultures with Puerto Rican reggaeton star Ozuna teaming up with French hip-hop artist Gims for this club-ready track.

Sung in Spanish, French and English while featuring an arresting Arabic vocal loop in the chorus, this banger is about building bridges and putting differences aside.

‘Hayya Hayya’ (Better Together) featuring Davido, Trinidad Cardona and Aisha

Released in April, the first World Cup anthem is a lovely fusion of styles and cultures.

Qatari singer Aisha teams up with Nigerian Afro-pop star Davido and US singer Trinidad Cardona for this breezy ode to unity.

More than the rousing chorus, Hayya Hayya (Better Together) has the kind of earworm melody that will stick in our heads — for better or worse — during the tournament.