‘Muchachos‘ — or ‘The Land of Diego and Lionel‘ — has become the defining soundtrack of Argentina at a World Cup.

Born in the stands, adopted by the players, and now ringing out across stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico, it is one of the most emotionally charged football anthems ever written.

With Lionel Messi defying age and logic to (somehow) create more history at the 2026 World Cup, the song has never felt more relevant.

What is Argentina’s ‘Muchachos’ song?

The lyrics were written by Argentine fan Fernando Romero, who rewrote the words to a 2003 hit by Argentine band La Mosca — ‘Muchachos, esta noche me emborracho’ (‘Guys, tonight I will get drunk’).

It was written following their win over Brazil in the 2021 Copa América, their first international title in 28 years. The famous song references Diego Maradona, who inspired Argentina to their World Cup triumph in 1986 and died in 2020, describing him as cheering Messi on “from the sky” alongside his father Don Diego and his mother La Tota.

It also pays tribute to the young soldiers lost in the Falklands War, and the years of heartbreak in finals before the 2021 Copa América victory over Brazil finally ended the drought.

Romero went viral after a TV broadcaster showed him singing the song outside a stadium, and it led to an official release prior to the 2022 World Cup and has been a staple ever since.

Messi himself chose it as his favourite football chant before the 2022 tournament and it became the soundtrack to Argentina’s Qatar journey to becoming champions, and now, it is back to spur on La Albiceleste once again with additional lyrics added.

Argentina ‘Muchachos’ chant lyrics

Lyrics in Spanish

Lyrics in English

‘Muchachos’ may be the anthem of the current and previous World Cup, but it is not the only song heard echoing around Argentina’s matches. Fans have also been belting out another song titled: ‘El que no brinque es inglés’ — ‘Whoever doesn’t jump is English’. That is one that would be sung even louder if they were to meet England in a tournament.

There’s also a brand-new song that also emerged for 2026, set to the rhythm of Argentine singer Gilda’s ‘No me arrepiento de este amor’. These lyrics focus on how this could be Messi’s last World Cup as well as the Argentinian dream of another World Cup triumph.

Maradona has also been honoured in song with — ‘El Diez’ — a hymn to the number ten that rang out across Mexico in 1986 and has never truly gone away.

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Tottenham are said to be on the verge of bidding for a Manchester United target as they look to fulfill a position of need this summer. Spurs have already snapped up three new signings this summer, signing Jan Paul van Hecke for big money, while they have also added free agents Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.

Roberto De Zerbi is being given a war chest this summer, although the North London club’s recruitment is not exclusively manager-led. The Italian is getting a say after keeping Spurs in the top flight, but the club’s recruitment chiefs are also having input, and that is no different when it comes to the midfielder search, which is now hotting up after a bid for Sandro Tonali was rejected.

Fernandes becomes the focus

via Reuters

Spurs tried to sign Tonali from Newcastle United for £75million, only to see their bid rejected. According to TeamTalk, they have now turned their focus to West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and they are preparing to make a bid.

It’s claimed Tottenham will now make a bid of the same value to West Ham for the ‘quick’ Portugal international, who was seen as one of the most promising young players in the Premier League last season.

The 21-year-old ‘superstar’ was a shining light in a struggling West Ham’s midfield, with Nuno Espirito Santo describing his season as ‘fantastic’, and he will have immediately been considered by plenty of Premier League clubs after the Iron were relegated.

Manchester United have been heavily pursuing Fernandes, reportedly engaging in conversations coming into the summer, but they are yet to make a formal bid. Spurs are now expected to do just that, and that could see them beat the Red Devils to the chase.

It will be interesting to see if United now make a move of their own, and there will be concern from Spurs if they do, given Michael Carrick can offer Champions League football next season, while Spurs have no European football at all to offer.

Midfield transfer battle inevitable for Spurs and Man Utd

via Reuters

Spurs and United were perhaps always likely to come up against each other in this midfielder search. Both clubs are in need of midfielders, with Yves Bissouma having left Spurs, while United have lost Casemiro this summer.

Midfielders who can hold down the fort in midfield while also having an eye to get forward are always in demand, and there aren’t enough quality options to meet demand. Beyond that, United and Spurs both have a particular interest in proven Premier League commodities, which further narrows down the list.

The crossover was always likely, and this particular transfer battle could see this summer transfer window reach exciting territory at a time when many expected it to be quiet due to the World Cup. Meanwhile, West Ham will be hoping this bidding war is just getting started.

Iran’s preparations for their 2026 World Cup campaign have been pure chaos, with travel restrictions causing constant disruption at every avenue.

The squad’s situation differed from other competing nations due to their well-documented conflict with the US in the Middle East, with changes and limitations affecting their preparations for the tournament before they even arrived on US soil, and then affecting them pre-and post-match as well.

That imbalance enhanced frustrations within the camp, leading to a complaint being made to FIFA. Now, just days before a pivotal group stage clash, the Trump Administration has stepped in yet again, with another revised set of arrangements.

Evelyn Hockstein via Reuters

Iran’s base camp was switched from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, just weeks before the tournament kicked off, and the squad have since been restricted to crossing into the US only a day before kick-off, departing again soon after the final whistle. That left little room for the side to settle into unfamiliar surroundings before facing opponents who enjoyed considerably longer preparation windows.

According to The Mirror, the Department of Homeland Security has now amended those protocols ahead of Friday’s meeting with Egypt in Seattle. A spokesperson told NBC News that Iran will be permitted to arrive two days before the match rather than one, though they will still be required to leave for Tijuana on the evening of the game itself.

“Again, the President wants to make sure that we’re talking about what actually happens on the pitch. A lot of that is making sure that things are safe and secure, not just around the stadiums, but around base camps and training sites.”

Iran Still Chasing Knockout Stage Progress – USA Clash Possible

Gary Vasquez via Reuters

Andrew Giuliani, who heads the Trump Administration’s FIFA Task Force, had hinted the arrangements around Iran could be revisited, though earlier requests for changes ahead of the team’s first two group games were turned down.

Authorities had previously insisted Iran agreed to the original terms, despite mounting pressure from within the camp over the punishing schedule.

The timing of this latest concession is notable given where Iran sit in terms of their group. They opened with a frantic 2-2 draw against New Zealand before holding group favourites Belgium to a scoreless draw, leaving a heartfelt note in the changing room for the people of Los Angeles after playing two matches at SoFi Stadium.

Egypt remain the only team in the group to have won a match so far, and Friday’s meeting will, one way or another, decide who moves on to the knockout stages, with a possible collision course with the United States completely on the cards for Team Melli.