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As football fans around the world prepare for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, music can be the perfect way to build the excitement. Whether fans are cheering for defending champions Argentina to win back-to-back World Cups or hoping Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal shines on the biggest stage, these 10 songs capture the spirit, energy and celebration of the tournament. Here are AP's picks: 1. "Dai Dai" — Shakira and Burna Boy (2026)The official song of the 2026 World Cup combines Latin rhythms with Afrobeats in a multilingual anthem celebrating unity, passion and victory. Colombian singer Shakira said a World Cup song should reflect the emotions and excitement that football brings to people around the world. 2. "DNA (More Than A Game)" — Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, EJAE and Megan Thee Stallion (2026)This unique collaboration blends opera, pop, electronic dance music and rap in English, Italian and Korean. The song highlights football as more than a sport, describing it as part of people's identity. 3. "La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)" — Ricky Martin (1998)One of the most memorable World Cup anthems ever released, Ricky Martin's energetic hit became the soundtrack of the 1998 tournament in France and remains a fan favourite. 4. "Despechá" — Rosalía (2022)The upbeat Latin pop hit has become a celebration song for Spain's national team, often played after goals and victories. It is expected to feature again if Spain succeeds in the final. 5. "Mi Gran Noche" — Raphael (1967)Spanish music legend Raphael's classic song has become a regular feature of football celebrations across Spain, thanks to its lively melody and timeless appeal. 6. "La Roja Baila" — Sergio Ramos, Niña Pastori and RedOne (2016)Recorded as Spain's official anthem for the 2016 European Championship, the song celebrates the national team's nickname, "La Roja," and continues to be popular among Spanish supporters. 7. "La Cumbia de los Trapos" — Yerba Brava (2000)This energetic cumbia track has become closely linked with Argentina's football team. It was widely associated with the country's World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022 and remains a favourite among Argentine fans. 8. "Matador" — Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (1993, remastered 2008)Often played after Argentina scores, the song combines ska, reggae and Latin rhythms. While known as a football anthem, it also carries a deeper message about Argentina's military dictatorship. 9. "Dumbai" — Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (2024)The Argentine duo's modern Latin pop hit mixes trap, electronic and tropical sounds, making it a popular addition to football celebrations. 10. "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" — Shakira featuring Freshlyground (2010)Widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup songs ever made, the official anthem of the 2010 tournament in South Africa remains a global favourite for football fans. Its catchy rhythm and uplifting message continue to make it a must-play during every World Cup season.

The British government has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina's national football team after its players celebrated a World Cup semifinal victory while holding a banner asserting Argentina's claim over the disputed Falkland Islands. Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday. During the post-match celebrations, players displayed a banner handed to them by supporters that read, "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Malvinas are Argentine"). Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas. The islands became the focus of a 10-week war in 1982 after Argentina's military government invaded the British-controlled territory. Britain regained control following the conflict. UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle described the players' actions as "entirely inappropriate" and said he expected FIFA to conduct a thorough investigation. Under FIFA's disciplinary code, political, ideological, religious or offensive messages displayed at stadiums are prohibited. Violations can result in fines ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. FIFA had not commented on the matter as of Thursday. Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez said the banner carried strong emotional significance. "I can imagine a Malvinas war veteran seeing that banner and crying," said Martínez, who has played for Manchester United in England for the past four years. "I don't know whether there will be sanctions, but the message simply expressed our belief that the islands belong to us." Long-running political dispute The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 3,500 people. They are located about 480 kilometres off Argentina's coast and nearly 13,000 kilometres from Britain. Argentina maintains that Britain illegally took control of the islands in 1833. Britain says its claim dates back to 1765 and that it expelled Argentine forces attempting to establish sovereignty over the territory in 1833. The 1982 Falklands War claimed the lives of 649 Argentine troops, 255 British military personnel and three islanders. The conflict coincided with the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where Argentina, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all competed. British broadcasters declined to televise Argentina's opening match of the tournament, in which the defending champions lost to Belgium. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes said the banner reflected a painful chapter in his country's history. "It is a sad part of our history for everyone involved, and it still hurts," he said. "We knew we were playing for them as well." FIFA's political neutrality under scrutiny Kyle told the BBC that politics should remain separate from football, adding that the issue was now FIFA's responsibility. FIFA's commitment to political neutrality has faced renewed scrutiny during this World Cup. Critics have questioned decisions by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the governing body's disciplinary panel, particularly after United States forward Folarin Balogun was allowed to play against Belgium in the round of 16 despite receiving a red card in the previous match. Under FIFA rules, Balogun should have been suspended for the next game, but the ban was postponed for one year on probation. Belgium went on to beat the United States 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals. Infantino is expected to attend Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, alongside US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. Similar incidents in the past Argentina's players displayed the same "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" slogan during a World Cup warm-up match in Buenos Aires in 2014. FIFA later fined the Argentine Football Association 30,000 Swiss francs (about $37,000) after that tournament. In another case, South Korean footballer Park Jong-woo received a two-match FIFA suspension after displaying a banner reading "Dokdo is our territory" following South Korea's victory over Japan in the bronze medal match at the 2012 London Olympics. More recently, during the 2022 World Cup, FIFA fined Serbia's football federation 20,000 Swiss francs (about $24,800) after a political banner showing Kosovo as part of Serbia and carrying the slogan "No Surrender" was displayed in the team's dressing room before a match against Brazil.

FIFA has begun selling pieces of the pitch that will be used in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, offering fans a chance to own a souvenir from the tournament for $450 per piece. The collectible, available through FIFA's official online store, contains an authentic fragment of the grass from the July 19 final, preserved in premium acrylic and accompanied by a USB keepsake. According to FIFA, each turf segment measures 17.5 by 17.5 by 17.5, although the governing body has not specified whether the measurements are in inches, centimetres or millimetres. Promoting the item, FIFA described it as a unique collectible celebrating one of football's biggest events. The organisation said the acrylic display includes an authenticity film and is packaged in a premium presentation box designed for collectors and football enthusiasts. Orders will be shipped only after the World Cup final, and delivery is currently limited to addresses in the United States and Europe. The sale comes as FIFA has faced criticism over the high cost of tickets for the expanded World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final, has also drawn criticism from players and coaches over the quality of its playing surface. The stadium normally uses artificial turf for NFL games involving the New York Giants and New York Jets. FIFA is also selling standard tickets for the World Cup final for as much as $32,970, while hospitality packages that include food and beverages are priced at $34,500 and $32,500.

Merlín, the duck that has become an unlikely World Cup sensation in Mexico, made a much-anticipated trip to the stadium on Wednesday but was not allowed to stay for Mexico's match against the Czech Republic due to FIFA regulations. The two-year-old duck has become a social media star after appearing alongside his family during Mexico's opening World Cup victory. His popularity has grown rapidly, prompting fans to campaign for him to be allowed inside the stadium for the national team's match. Merlín arrived at Azteca Stadium with his owner, Carla Gómez, and her son Cristian. He was allowed onto the stadium grounds to take part in a television segment for Televisa, one of Latin America's largest broadcasters. Transported in a special crate and accompanied by security personnel, the duck attracted attention from fans eager to catch a glimpse of the tournament's most unusual celebrity. However, FIFA rules prohibit animals from entering stadiums during matches, citing animal welfare and safety concerns. As a result, Merlín was not permitted to remain inside the venue for the game. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that the duck was allowed into the outer stadium area but could not enter the stadium itself. Gómez said the attention Merlín has received in recent days has been overwhelming. "The last few days have been incredible. We are very grateful for everything that has happened. People are amazed by Merlín," she told AP. Dressed in a green Mexico football jersey, Merlín has become a familiar face around Mexico City, where he accompanies his family as they sell drinks. His growing fame has led to television appearances, interviews, visits to fan events and even a stop at Netflix's offices. Many supporters now view him as an unofficial mascot for both Mexico and the World Cup. "He's become our unofficial mascot," said fan Daniel Krauze outside the stadium. "I'm proud to support Merlín the duck." The bird's popularity has even sparked a legal dispute over commercial rights to his name. According to reports, others attempted to register the Merlín trademark before Gómez, but the rights were eventually awarded to her. Although Merlín could not watch the match from the stands, his family was finally able to attend a Mexico game after receiving hundreds of invitations and messages from supporters. Gómez remains convinced that the duck brings good luck to Mexico's national team. "Merlín is a lucky charm," she said. "I believe Mexico will win again today with his support."

FIFA has announced a new generation of semi-automated offside technology for the 2026 World Cup, a move aimed at speeding up decisions and reducing the need for assistant referees to delay raising the offside flag. The upgraded system will work alongside the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and send a real-time audio alert to assistant referees when a player is more than 10 centimetres offside. This is a significant improvement over previous versions tested at the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup, which only alerted officials when a player was more than 50 centimetres offside. Under the new system, assistant referees will still have the final authority on when to raise the flag and stop play. They may choose to keep the flag down if they suspect a technical issue, although FIFA said multiple safeguards have been built into the technology to minimise errors. The technology will not be able to determine extremely close offside calls and may face limitations when players are on the ground or clustered closely together. It will also only apply to positional offsides and cannot be used for subjective decisions, such as determining whether a player interfered with an opponent without touching the ball. FIFA hopes the system will reduce frustration among players and fans by allowing quicker decisions and limiting unnecessary passages of play. It is also expected to lower the risk of injuries that can occur when play continues despite an apparent offside. Concerns over delayed offside calls gained attention in May 2025 when Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a serious injury after colliding with a goalpost during a move where the assistant referee delayed raising the flag. The striker was later placed in an induced coma. In another major innovation, FIFA confirmed it will create AI-powered 3D avatars of every player participating in the tournament to improve decision-making accuracy. The process will involve digitally scanning all 1,248 players from the 48 competing teams. Each player will undergo a one-second scan during pre-tournament photo sessions. The resulting digital models will be used to generate clearer and more detailed offside animations for officials, broadcasters and fans. New technology for ball out of play decisionsFIFA has also approved new technology capable of determining whether the ball crossed the touchline before a goal was scored. The system will generate a 3D animation similar to goal-line technology, showing the precise position of the ball. A sensor inside the ball will also identify which player last touched it, helping VAR officials review decisions involving corners and other restart situations. The move follows several controversial incidents, including one involving Aston Villa FC in February, when a goal against Brentford FC was disallowed amid uncertainty over whether the ball had gone out of play. Enhanced offside reviews through goalkeeper perspectiveFIFA is also expanding its "Real-time 3D Recreation" technology to help officials assess "line-of-sight" offside situations more effectively. The system will provide virtual viewpoints replicating the perspective of both goalkeepers, allowing VAR officials and television audiences to better judge whether a player in an offside position obstructed a goalkeeper's vision. Several controversial incidents during the past season involved debates over whether goalkeepers had their view blocked. FIFA believes the new technology will provide officials with an additional tool to make faster and more accurate decisions during such situations.  #From BBC

FIFA is facing fresh scrutiny in the United States over high World Cup ticket prices and controversial sales practices that many fans say left them paying more for less desirable seats. Authorities in New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into whether FIFA’s ticketing system violated consumer protection laws. The move comes as both states prepare to host matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The attorneys general of the two states said they have issued subpoenas to FIFA, seeking details on its ticket sales methods. These include the use of “variable pricing,” which caused ticket costs to rise sharply, and changes to stadium seating plans that allegedly moved fans further away from the field than expected. The investigation, being carried out with support from New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, is mainly focused on ticket sales for matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. “Fans have waited years for the World Cup to come here and they deserve fair and affordable access to tickets,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “People should not be forced to pay extremely high prices or receive seats different from what they expected.” New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport also criticised FIFA, saying the ticket-buying process had become confusing and unfair, with artificial scarcity and extremely high prices. FIFA has not commented on the investigation. The World Cup is set to begin on June 11 with matches in Mexico, while the first game at the nearly 82,000-seat MetLife Stadium — temporarily renamed for the event — will take place on June 13 between Brazil and Morocco. Ticket prices have drawn strong reactions, with some seats for the July 19 final reportedly selling for as much as $33,000. In response to public concerns, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently announced a lottery system offering 1,000 tickets to city residents at $50 each. These tickets will be distributed across matches held at MetLife Stadium, excluding the final. Earlier, FIFA had also released a limited number of $60 tickets for each match through participating national football associations.

Football’s global rulemakers have revised red card guidelines following two controversial incidents in international matches earlier this year. The changes were pushed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino after separate incidents involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Senegal’s national team drew widespread attention. Under the updated guidance approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), players can now be shown a red card if they cover their mouths while verbally confronting an opponent. The rule is optional and can be enforced at the discretion of tournament organizers, including FIFA. The decision follows an incident in a Champions League match where Prestianni allegedly hid his words while insulting Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. Vinícius, supported by teammate Kylian Mbappé, accused him of making a racially offensive remark. Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-match suspension, with three games suspended during a probation period, citing verbal abuse. While the body said it could not prove racial abuse, it confirmed the use of a homophobic slur, which the player admitted. If selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he will miss the team’s first two matches, although the decision can still be appealed. IFAB also approved another rule allowing referees to issue red cards to players who leave the field in protest of a decision. The same punishment can apply to team officials who encourage such actions. This follows a dramatic incident during the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, when Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to host Morocco with the score at 0-0. The match was halted for nearly 15 minutes before play resumed. Senegal eventually won in extra time, but the title was later stripped by African football authorities. The case is now set to be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. IFAB said the new rules will be shared with all 48 teams participating in the upcoming World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA expects that Iran’s national football team will be able to travel to the United States and take part in the upcoming World Cup, despite the ongoing conflict between the two countries. FIFA President ‘Gianni Infantino’ said on Tuesday that he spoke with US President Donald Trump about preparations for the tournament and received assurances that the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the United States to compete. The ‘2026 FIFA World Cup’, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is set to begin in about three months. Iran is scheduled to play its group matches in the US, starting against New Zealand in Inglewood, California on June 15. The team will then face Belgium on June 21 before concluding its group stage campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iranian officials had recently indicated that their participation in the tournament might be uncertain due to the ongoing war. Infantino said he discussed the situation with Trump during a meeting Tuesday night. “We also talked about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he said, adding that Trump confirmed the team would be welcome to take part in the tournament in the United States. Infantino and Trump maintain a close relationship. Trump was previously awarded FIFA’s inaugural peace prize, an honour many observers believe was created with him in mind. However, Iranian fans had already faced restrictions earlier, as they were included in the initial version of a travel ban introduced by the Trump administration. Infantino said global events like the World Cup are important for bringing people together, particularly during times of conflict, and thanked Trump for his support. Earlier this week, FIFA World Cup chief operating officer ‘Heimo Schirgi’ said the tournament is too significant to be postponed because of the global tensions linked to the ongoing US and Israeli war against Iran. Schirgi said FIFA is closely monitoring developments in the conflict but remains confident that the tournament will proceed as planned. “We are taking it day by day and hope there will be a resolution,” he said. “The World Cup is too big, and we hope all teams that have qualified will be able to participate.”

Iraq’s head coach, Graham Arnold, has appealed to FIFA to postpone his team’s intercontinental World Cup playoff due to the disruptions caused by the escalating war in Iran. The Iraqi squad faces major challenges ahead of their winner-takes-all match against either Suriname or Bolivia, set for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. With Iraqi airspace closed until April 1, Arnold’s team — mostly made up of domestic league players cannot fully assemble. Many players are also unable to secure visas for Mexico because of embassy closures, while Arnold himself is stuck in the United Arab Emirates amid the conflict. “Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of Iraq,” Arnold, a former Australian national team coach, told the Australian Associated Press. The turmoil has already forced the cancellation of a planned training camp in Houston. Arnold said relying only on overseas-based players is not a viable solution. “It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need our best squad for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” he said. Arnold has suggested a strategic delay: let Suriname and Bolivia play their preliminary match this month, but postpone Iraq’s final playoff until a week before the World Cup starts. “This would give us time to prepare properly and allow FIFA to see how the situation with Iran develops,” he said. “If Iran withdraws, we go to the World Cup, and it also gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, time to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname.” Iraq Football Association president Adnan Dirjal is reportedly working tirelessly to make the World Cup dream a reality, and Arnold stressed that a quick decision from FIFA is crucial.

The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) resigned on Wednesday following a controversy over the naturalisation of seven foreign-born players that resulted in FIFA sanctions, a legal appeal and heightened scrutiny of football governance in the country. All members of the committee, who were elected 11 months ago for the 2025–2029 term, stepped down with immediate effect. The association said the decision was unanimous and voluntary, taken to safeguard FAM’s credibility. The collective resignation came after FIFA, in September last year, imposed a fine of around $450,000 on FAM and handed one-year suspensions to the seven players after concluding that falsified documents had been submitted to support their naturalisation. The players Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal and Héctor Hevel were also fined individually. The players, who hail from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands and Spain, had represented Malaysia in international matches, including a qualifying game for the 2027 Asian Cup in which Malaysia defeated Vietnam. Read More: Mbappé brace lifts Real Madrid to La Liga top with 2-0 win at Villarreal Malaysian officials had said the seven players met FIFA eligibility rules through Malaysian-born grandparents but FIFA said investigators obtained original documents from the players’ home countries that disputed those claims. In a statement on Wednesday, FAM said the executive committee, elected for a four-year 2025–2029 term, resigned after 11 months to place the interests of Malaysian football above office-holding. The move aimed to protect the association’s reputation and limit further repercussions, while allowing FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to review governance and procedures without conflicts of interest. FAM said the decision was meant to restore confidence among stakeholders. Acting president Mohamad Yusoff Mahadi said secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman will oversee daily operations. FIFA’s ban on the players has been temporarily suspended pending an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.