Twenty-third Music World Cup
Tournament details
DatesSeptember 24 – October 4 2023
Teams32
Final positions
Champions  Canada (3rd title)
Runners-up  Norway
Third place  Germany
Fourth place  France
Tournament statistics
Matches played64
Goals scored936 (14.63 per match)
Top scorer(s)  Canada (54 points)

Participating teams

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Continent Team Classification Date (Order) Participation Best Performance Artist
Current Consec. Last
Africa   Ethiopia August 22 2023 (6) 2 1 #18 Round of 16 (#18) Ukandanz
  Mozambique August 22 2023 (8) 1 1 Newcomer Selma Uamusse
  South Africa August 24 2023 (18) 15 2 #22 Quarter-finals (#1, #22) Seether
  Tunisia August 22 2023 (10) 3 1 #18 Round of 16 (#18) Jacqueline Taïeb
  Zambia August 22 2023 (12) 15 1 #21 Runner-up (#5) Musi-O-Tunya
Americas   Brazil August 21 2023 (3) 23 23 #22 Champion (#2, #16) Tim Maia
  Canada August 21 2023 (4) 23 23 #22 Champion (#14, #21) Joni Mitchell
  Colombia August 24 2023 (21) 11 1 #20 Quarter-finals (#4, #20) Shakira
  Jamaica August 26 2023 (32) 18 1 #21 Third place (#19) The Heptones
  Mexico August 25 2023 (27) 6 2 #22 Quarter-finals (#22) Santana
  United States August 21 2023 (1) 23 23 #22 Runner-up (#1) Dead Meadow
  Uruguay August 26 2023 (28) 4 1 #13 Round of 16 (#9) El Cuarteto de Nos
Asia   Japan August 22 2023 (13) 23 23 #22 Champion (#8, #15) Mitski
  Lebanon August 22 2023 (11) 3 1 #16 Quarter-finals (#12) Soap Kills
  Philippines August 26 2023 (31) 6 1 #21 Round of 16 (#11, #15, #21) Up Dharma Down
  South Korea August 23 2023 (14) 22 11 #22 Fourth place (#5) Sister's Barbershop
Europe   Austria August 25 2023 (23) 4 1 #21 Group stage (#16, #19, #21) Tosca
  Belgium August 23 2023 (15) 13 1 #21 Quarter-finals (#8, #20) Hooverphonic
  Denmark August 24 2023 (20) 16 9 #22 Champion (#17) Mew
  England August 21 2023 (2) 23 23 #22 Champion (#4, #6, #10, #19) Autechre
  Finland August 25 2023 (25) 16 2 #22 Quarter-finals (#15, #18) Husky Rescue
  France August 23 2023 (16) 22 5 #22 Third place (#2, #17) Justice
  Germany August 24 2023 (19) 23 23 #22 Champion (#1) Colour Haze
  Iceland August 26 2023 (29) 18 5 #22 Champion (#20) The Vintage Caravan
  Ireland August 22 2023 (7) 22 2 #22 Champion (#5) Thin Lizzy
  Italy August 25 2023 (26) 17 4 #22 Runner-up (#6, #20) Casino Royale
  Norway August 23 2023 (17) 21 5 #22 Champion (#22) Spidergawd
  Scotland August 22 2023 (9) 23 23 #22 Champion (#7, #12) Biffy Clyro
  Sweden August 24 2023 (22) 23 23 #22 Champion (#3, #9, #13) The Knife
  Wales August 26 2023 (30) 11 1 #20 Fourth place (#20) Catatonia
Oceania   Australia August 21 2023 (5) 23 23 #22 Champion (#18) The Avalanches
  New Zealand August 25 2023 (24) 11 1 #21 Round of 16 (#2, #9, #14, #20) Strawpeople

Draw

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Seeding and drawing

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Pot 1

Top 8 teams

Pot 2

Top 16 teams

Pot 3

Top 24 teams

Pot 4

Top 32 teams

Team Pos. Team Pos. Team Pos. Team Pos.
  Canada 1   Norway 9   South Korea 18   Mexico 33
  Sweden 2   France 10   Zambia 19   Philippines 39
  England 3   United States 11   Finland 20   Lebanon 49
  Brazil 4   Ireland 12   Wales 22   Uruguay 51
  Japan 5   Denmark 13   Belgium 23   Tunisia 57
  Germany 6   Italy 14   South Africa 24   Austria 58
  Australia 7   Iceland 15   Colombia 25   Ethiopia 63
  Scotland 8   Jamaica 17   New Zealand 28   Mozambique Debut

Results of the draw

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Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H
  Sweden   Scotland   Germany   Brazil   Canada   Japan   England   Australia
  Italy   Norway   Denmark   Ireland   France   Iceland   United States   Jamaica
  South Korea   New Zealand   South Africa   Belgium   Finland   Wales   Colombia   Zambia
  Mozambique   Ethiopia   Philippines   Mexico   Tunisia   Uruguay   Austria   Lebanon

Group Stage

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Group A

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Sweden 3 2 0 1 23 21 2 6
  Mozambique 3 2 0 1 23 22 1 6
  South Korea 2 1 0 2 22 23 -1 3
  Italy 2 1 0 2 22 24 -2 3
Round 1
("Pass This On")   Sweden 7 – 8   South Korea ("Beautiful Thing")
("Prova")   Italy 7 – 9   Mozambique ("Ngono Utane Vuna Kudima")
Round 2
("Silent Shout")   Sweden 8 – 7   Italy ("In Picchiata")
("Maputo")   Mozambique 8 – 7   South Korea ("Most Ordinary Existance")
Round 3
("Heartbeats")   Sweden 8 – 6   Mozambique ("Ngona Nwama")
("People Who Stay Alone")   South Korea 7 – 8   Italy ("Easy Tranquillo")

Group B

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Norway 3 2 1 0 23 21 2 7
  Ethiopia 3 1 1 1 23 21 2 4
  Scotland 3 1 0 2 21 22 -1 3
  New Zealand 3 1 0 2 20 23 -3 3
Round 1
("Re-Arrange")   Scotland 7 – 8   New Zealand ("Sweet Disorder")
("All and Everything")   Norway 8 – 8   Ethiopia ("Ajebeshe Lideresh New")
Round 2
("A Hunger in Your Haunt")   Scotland 8 – 7   Ethiopia ("Alègntayé")
("Is This Love")   Norway 8 – 7   New Zealand ("No One Like You")
Round 3
("God & Satan")   Scotland 6 – 7   Norway ("Ritual Supernatural")
("Second Heart")   New Zealand 5 – 8   Ethiopia ("Gesse")

Group C

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Germany 3 2 1 0 25 22 2 7
  Philippines 3 1 1 1 22 23 -1 4
  South Africa 3 0 2 1 22 23 -1 2
  Denmark 3 0 2 1 21 22 -1 2
Round 1
("Leuchtturm")   Germany 8 – 8   South Africa ("Fine Again")
("Satellites")   Denmark 7 – 7   Philippines ("Tadhana")
Round 2
("? (Fragezeichen)")   Germany 8 – 7   Denmark ("156")
("Taya")   Philippines 8 – 7   South Africa ("Country Song")
Round 3
("Irgendwie, Irgendwo, Irgendwann")   Germany 9 – 7   Philippines ("Sana")
("Let You Down")   South Africa 7 – 7   Denmark ("Wheels Over Me")

Group D

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Ireland 3 1 2 0 24 23 1 5
  Belgium 3 1 2 0 23 22 1 5
  Brazil 3 1 0 2 21 21 0 3
  Mexico 3 0 2 1 20 22 -2 2
Round 1
("Réu Confesso")   Brazil 7 – 8   Belgium ("Angel Never Dies")
("Cold Sweat")   Ireland 8 – 8   Mexico ("Love, Devotion & Surrender")
Round 2
("Acenda o Farol")   Brazil 7 – 8   Ireland ("Cowboy Song")
("No One to Depend On")   Mexico 7 – 7   Belgium ("No More Sweet Music")
Round 3
("Deixar as Coisas Tristes Pra Depois")   Brazil 7 – 5   Mexico ("Song of the Wind")
("Thinking About You")   Belgium 8 – 8   Ireland ("Chinatown")

Group E

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Canada 3 2 1 0 25 22 3 7
  France 3 1 1 1 22 22 0 4
  Tunisia 3 0 3 0 23 23 0 3
  Finland 3 0 1 2 20 23 -3 1
Round 1
("Help Me")   Canada 9 – 7   Finland ("Lähtisitkö")
("On'n'On")   France 8 – 8   Tunisia ("La Fac de Lettres")
Round 2
("Chelsea Morning")   Canada 8 – 7   France ("We Are Your Friends")
("Ce Soir Je M'en Vais")   Tunisia 7 – 7   Finland ("New Light of Tomorrow")
Round 3
("Big Yellow Taxi")   Canada 8 – 8   Tunisia ("7 AM")
("Blueberry Tree Part 1")   Finland 6 – 7   France ("Safe and Sound")

Group F

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Iceland 3 2 1 0 24 21 3 7
  Wales 3 2 0 1 21 21 0 6
  Uruguay 3 1 1 1 21 21 0 4
  Japan 3 0 0 3 20 23 -3 0
Round 1
("First Love / Late Spring")   Japan 7 – 8   Wales ("International Velvet")
("Midnight Meditation")   Iceland 8 – 8   Uruguay ("Lo Malo de Ser Bueno")
Round 2
("Nobody")   Japan 7 – 8   Iceland ("Craving")
("Necesito una Mujer")   Uruguay 6 – 7   Wales ("Road Rage")
Round 3
("My Love Mine All Mine")   Japan 6 – 7   Uruguay ("No Llora")
("Dream On")   Wales 6 – 8   Iceland ("M.A.R.S.W.A.T.T.")

Group G

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Austria 3 2 1 0 23 21 2 7
  England 3 1 2 0 22 21 1 5
  Colombia 3 1 1 1 21 20 1 4
  United States 3 0 0 3 19 23 -4 0
Round 1
("Altibzz")   England 7 – 7   Colombia ("Underneath Your Clothes")
("At Her Open Door")   United States 7 – 8   Austria ("Gute Laune")
Round 2
("Foil")   England 8 – 7   United States ("Greensky Greenlake")
("Superrob")   Austria 8 – 7   Colombia ("Acróstico")
Round 3
("Fleure")   England 7 – 7   Austria ("Swimswimswim")
("Dia de Enero")   Colombia 7 – 5   United States ("Me and the Devil Blues")

Group H

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Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Zambia 3 1 2 0 23 22 1 5
  Australia 3 1 1 1 23 23 0 4
  Lebanon 3 1 1 1 22 22 0 4
  Jamaica 3 0 2 1 21 22 -1 2
Round 1
("Since I Left You")   Australia 8 – 8   Zambia ("Angel Black")
("Diana")   Jamaica 7 – 7   Lebanon ("Cheftak")
Round 2
("Oh The Sunn!")   Australia 8 – 7   Jamaica ("Crystal Blue Persuasion")
("Galbi")   Lebanon 7 – 8   Zambia ("Sunshine Love")
Round 3
("Because I'm Me")   Australia 7 – 8   Lebanon ("Coit Me")
("Tsegulani")   Zambia 7 – 7   Jamaica ("Mama Say")

Final stage

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Knockout stage

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Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
  Sweden6
 
 
 
  Ethiopia8
 
  Ethiopia6
 
 
 
  Germany7
 
  Germany7+
 
 
 
  Belgium7
 
  Germany7 (8)
 
 
 
  Canada7 (9)
 
  Canada7+
 
 
 
  Wales7
 
  Canada8
 
 
 
  Austria7
 
  Austria7
 
 
 
  Australia6
 
  Canada7 (9)
 
 
 
  Norway7 (7)
 
  Norway8+
 
 
 
  Mozambique8
 
  Norway8
 
 
 
  Ireland7
 
  Ireland8
 
 
 
  Philippines7
 
  Norway8 (8)
 
 
 
  France8 (7)Third place
 
  Iceland7
 
  
 
  France8
 
  France8 (8)  Germany8
 
 
 
  Zambia8 (7)  France7
 
  Zambia7
 
 
  England5
 

Round of 16

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  Sweden6–8  Ethiopia
"Wrap Your Arms Around Me" "Sèwotch Men Yelalu"

  Germany7+–7  Belgium
"Rette Mich" "Badaboum"

  Canada7+–7  Wales
"In France They Kiss on Main Street" "You've Got a Lot to Answer For"

  Austria7–6  Australia
"John Lee Huber" "If I Was a Folkstar"

  Norway8+–8  Mozambique
"Into Tomorrow" "No Guns"

  Ireland8–7  Philippines
"Rosalie" "Crying Season"

  Iceland7–8  France
"Innerverse" "Audio Video Disco"

  Zambia7–5  England
"Musi-O-Tunya" "Mirrage"

Quarter-finals

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  Ethiopia6–7  Germany
"Senef" "Nur Geträumt"

  Canada8–7  Austria
"You Turn Me On I'm a Radio" "Dr. Dings"

  Norway8–7  Ireland
"Best Kept Secrets" "Whiskey in the Jar"

  France(8) 8–8 (7)  Zambia
"Planisphere, Pt. I"
TB: "Audio Video Disco"
"Bashi Mwana"
TB: "Musi-O-Tunya"

Semifinals

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  Germany(8) 7–7 (9)  Canada
"Wunder Gescheh'n"
TB: "? (Fragezeichen)"
"The Circle Game"
TB: "Help Me"

  Norway(8) 8–8 (7)  France
"What You Have Become"
TB: "Best Kept Secret"
"Phantom, Pt. II"
TB: "Safe and Sound"

Third place match

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  Germany8–7  France
"Liebe Ist" "Fire"

Final

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  Canada(9) 7–7 (7)  Norway
"Both Sides Now"
TB: "Help Me"
"Tourniquet"
TB: "Ritual Supernatural"

Results

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23rd Music World Cup Champion
 
Canada
(3rd title)
Pos. Country Gr Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Final
1   Canada E 7 3 4 0 54 50 4 12
2   Norway B 7 3 4 0 54 51 3 12
Third-place play-off
3   Germany C 7 4 3 0 54 50 4 15
4   France E 7 2 3 2 53 53 0 9
Quarter-finals eliminations
5   Austria G 5 3 1 1 37 35 2 10
6   Zambia H 5 2 3 0 38 35 3 9
7   Ireland D 5 2 2 1 39 38 1 8
8   Ethiopia B 5 2 1 2 37 34 3 7
Round of 16 eliminations
9   Iceland F 4 2 1 1 31 29 2 7
10   Mozambique A 4 2 1 1 31 30 1 7
11   Wales F 4 2 1 1 28 28 0 7
12   Sweden A 4 2 0 2 29 29 0 6
13   Belgium D 4 1 3 0 30 29 1 6
14   England G 4 1 2 1 27 28 -1 5
15   Australia H 4 1 1 2 29 30 -1 4
16   Philippines C 4 1 1 2 29 31 -2 4
Group stage eliminations
17   Colombia G 3 1 1 1 21 20 1 4
18   Lebanon H 3 1 1 1 22 22 0 4
19   Uruguay F 3 1 1 1 21 21 0 4
20   Tunisia E 3 0 3 0 23 23 0 3
21   Brazil D 3 1 0 2 21 21 0 3
22   South Korea A 2 1 0 2 22 23 -1 3
23   Scotland B 3 1 0 2 21 22 -1 3
24   Italy A 2 1 0 2 22 24 -2 3
25   New Zealand B 3 1 0 2 20 23 -3 3
26   South Africa C 3 0 2 1 22 23 -1 2
27   Jamaica H 3 0 2 1 21 22 -1 2
28   Denmark C 3 0 2 1 21 22 -1 2
29   Mexico D 3 0 2 1 20 22 -2 2
30   Finland E 3 0 1 2 20 23 -3 1
31   Japan F 3 0 0 3 20 23 -3 0
32   United States G 3 0 0 3 19 23 -4 0

Awards

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Categories Team Credit
Best songs 1   Mozambique "Ngono Utane Vuna Kudima"
2   Canada "Help Me"
3   Belgium "Angel Never Dies"
4   Iceland "M.A.R.S.W.A.T.T."
5   Scotland "A Hunger in Your Haunt"
Best newcomer   Mozambique Itself
Best match   Iceland vs.   Uruguay "Midnight Meditation" vs. "Lo Malo de Ser Bueno"
Best underdog   Austria Itself