From the Sahara to Scandinavia, the wind of cheering is blowing against the World Cup

World Cup is like a global Palio di Siena: you rejoice for your national team but inevitably yes the rival ‘district’ gushesusually a neighboring country. This American edition is no exception, from Hadrian’s Wall to the Sahara Desert to Scandinavia.

So i English fans mocked the ‘Tartan Army’ after Scotland’s elimination in the group stage to the tune of ‘Yes Sir I can Boogie‘, the hit by the Spanish female duo Baccara which had become the anthem of the Scottish fans at the 2021 European Championships. The words of the song have been replaced by a “Yes sir, you can book it”, ‘yes sir, you can book it’ (il return trip).

England fans chanting about Scotland before their game vs Panama…

“Yes sir, you can book it, you can book your flight back home, you can book it, book it, book it, all night long”

Incredible pic.twitter.com/6832HEikt1

— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) June 29, 2026

The World Cup in Scandinavia

In Scandinavia the Norway qualified in the round of 16 he is overshadowing his more famous neighbors with his successes: the Sweden (overwhelmed in the round of 32 by France) and the Denmark (not even qualified for the World Cup), they take revenge by attacking the “Viking Row”, the choreography with which the Norwegian fans and players ‘remano’ to the rhythm of tamburiwhich has become a hit in the world championship. The Swedish media criticized the prominence given to it, speaking of an ‘aping’ of the Icelanders’ “Thunderclap” at the 2016 European Championships, which was also “historically inaccurate” as it was mainly the ‘Swedish’ Vikings who used oars along the rivers of Eastern Europe. Sweden defender Gustaf Lagerbielke has admitted that he and his teammates “sigh” every time they see him on TV. In Denmark the tabloid BT wrote that ‘Viking Row’ “borders on a form of Nordic bullying between adults” with which Danes are made fun of, for once through the window.

The World Cup in Africa

The internal rivalry within Africa is no exception. THE Moroccans rejoice for the victories of the ‘Atlas Lions’, but they enjoyed the elimination in the round of 32 ofAlgeria, historic regional rival. Between Rabat and Algiers, football has for decades been one of the fields in which much deeper political and identity tensions are reflected. No less heated is the competition between Egypt and Morocco, two football schools that both claim a leading role on the continent. The Egyptians can boast the record of success in the Africa Cup of Nations, while Morocco has become the symbol of the growth of African football in recent years thanks to the historic fourth place achieved at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

More particular is the relationship between Morocco and Senegal: the ‘Lions of Teranga’ have gained enormous international prestige in recent years, but their rise is not without injuries and controversies. Also remembered is the recent African Cup of Nations final, in Rabat against Morocco, contested and then awarded to the home team, an episode that left repercussions that were also felt with chants from the two fans addressed to their rivals from the stands of the World Cup.