Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

YouTube, now with instant vuvuzela sound

Want to hear what your favourite pop star or politician sounds like accompanied by the most memorable sound of the soccer World Cup in South Africa -- the droning vuvuzela trumpet?

vuvuzela_worldcup_100608_B_AAP_1549993314

Try YouTube. The popular video-sharing website has added a vuvuzela button -- in the form of a soccer ball -- on its latest video player, allowing the sound of the vuvuzela to play alongside the video being watched.

The results can be hilarious, try watching a speech by any major global politician drowned out by the relentless blasting of the plastic trumpet, which has caused controversy at the World Cup.

World Cup organisers have said they will not ban the noisy trumpets -- which sound like millions of bees or a herd of charging elephants -- despite criticism from coaches and players.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said vuvuzelas are as typical of South African football as bongo drums or chants in other countries.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

YouTube's vuvuzela move has been criticised by some blogs.

"YouTube always has had a way with pranks," tech blog TechCrunch said in a posting about the new vuvuzela button.

"Clicking it will activate an endless, incredibly annoying sound that sounds vaguely like a swarm of insects."

One vuvuzela fan is former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who was sitting in the stands with dignitaries at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria Wednesday when forward Landon Donovan got a winner in added time to send the U.S. into the last 16.

"There doesn't seem to be a conductor anywhere. Nobody seems to have a music script but I swear they were playing together. They somehow swarmed," Clinton told reporters.

"I can't go home without one these. I have to get one of these."


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world