A viral video viewed millions of times online falsely claims to show Algerian football fans chanting against Lionel Messi ahead of Argentina and Algeria’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City.

Social media posts alleged that supporters were chanting: “Messi is the enemy of Allah, Allah is on our side, and Algeria will destroy the infidel nation of Argentina” before last week’s game. The video was even shared by French far-right politician Jean Messiha.

While an Arabic chant can be heard over footage showing large crowds of Algerian fans, the lyrics have nothing to do with Messi, Argentina, or football. In reality, the chant refers to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and has been widely known across the Arab world for more than a decade.

The original lyrics translate as: “There is no God but Allah, Mohammed is his messenger, Sisi is the enemy of God.” There is no mention of Lionel Messi, Argentina, or any threat to “annihilate” the South American nation.

The chant is political in nature and predates the 2026 World Cup by many years. It is believed to have emerged in Egypt following the 2013 military coup that ousted former president Mohammed Morsi before spreading throughout North Africa and the Arab world as an anti-oppression chant.

The misinformation appears to exploit the phonetic similarity between “Sisi” and “Messi” to falsely suggest Algerian fans were targeting the Argentine captain.

Further investigation shows the audio used in the viral clip was not recorded at the World Cup at all. The soundtrack matches audio from a protest in Algeria that was uploaded to YouTube six years ago, demonstrating the chant’s long-standing use across the region.

The video circulating online is therefore a misleading montage, created by combining unrelated footage and audio.

The footage itself was also not filmed before Algeria’s World Cup match against Argentina in Kansas City, despite widespread claims online. At around the 12-second mark, two prominent retail stores – Zara and H&M – are visible in the background. Using those landmarks, the FRANCE 24 Observers found the footage can be geolocated to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The video was in fact recorded on June 3, when Algeria played a friendly match against the Netherlands, not during the World Cup and not in the presence of Argentina.

Overall, neither the footage nor the audio is connected to Lionel Messi or Argentina. Instead, an old political chant and unrelated fan footage were stitched together to create a misleading narrative across social media to target Messi and Algerian fans.

Vedika Bahl fact-checks in Truth or Fake.

Some view the addition of linebacker Jake Golday as being key to the Jonathan Greenard deal. After all, the rookie defender has a history of coming off the edge, meaning he could soak up edge rusher snaps for the Vikings as early as 2026.

What gets missed in that calculus is the presence of Eric Wilson.

The off-ball linebacker was used in an unusual manner in 2026. Wilson more than doubled his career snaps at edge rusher in 2025 alone, boosting what was 327 snaps along the defensive line up to 663 snaps along the defensive line. What changed was the effort from Brian Flores to lean into Wilson’s ability to line up as an edge rusher, a reality that appears unlikely to change in 2026.

The Vikings Boast In-House Edge Rusher Depth

Consider how many view the edge rusher hierarchy:

• EDGE1: Andrew Van Ginkel
• EDGE2: Dallas Turner
• EDGE3: Bo Richter
• EDGE4: Tyler Batty
• EDGE5: Chaz Chambliss
• EDGE6: Arden Walker
• EDGE7: Cam’Ron Stewart

Many onlookers glance at the list and feel a cold shiver work down their spine. The nervous spectator can’t help but be gripped by fear at the glance of the horrors that appear behind Door 3: unproven UDFAs all the way down. Is the depth as horrific as it appears?

For whatever it’s worth, the Vikings appear to believe that there’s very little reason to fear.

Check out how the edge rusher hierarchy looks upon considering the reality of snap allotments and not the position tag that’s attached to players. The more accurate hierarchy:

• EDGE1: Andrew Van Ginkel
• EDGE2: Dallas Turner
• EDGE3: Eric Wilson
• EDGE4: Ty Ingram-Dawkins
• EDGE5: Bo Richter
• EDGE6: Tyler Batty
• EDGE7: Chaz Chambliss
• EDGE8: Arden Walker
• EDGE9: Cam’Ron Stewart

Tossing Wilson into the mix changes the water on the purple beans (which is to say nothing of Ingram-Dawkins).

Last year, Eric Wilson played 965 snaps on defense. Looking under the hood means seeing 336 snaps as an edge rusher. His final stat tally shows 115 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss, and an eye-popping 4 forced fumbles. Excellent stuff.

Per Over the Cap, Eric Wilson’s contract sits at a trio of seasons for a total compensation promise coming in at $22,500,000. Paying him so much would be an overpay were he merely an off-ball linebacker. Paying him so little would be great value if he proves to be an outside linebacker on top of being an off-ball linebacker.

Boasting Van Ginkel alongside Turner as the starters isn’t a bad spot to be. Van Ginkel is already elite; Turner is capable of getting to that spot. Wilson can then be an explosive EDGE3 to pin his ears back some of the time. Ingram-Dawkins can be a heavy edge rusher who clogs running lanes as the EDGE4.

Part of what allows the team to move players around freely is the presence of guys like Golday. Even if he never plays a snap at edge rusher in his debut season, Golday will help at edge rusher if he frees Eric Wilson to be an edge rusher. Essentially, there’s a domino effect that gives Brian Flores the flexibility he desires.

Quite possibly, the move is to add somebody else to have a more traditional EDGE3. Jadeveon Clowney, in particular, looks like a good fit. Regardless, the presence of Mr. Wilson means that there’s little reason for the team to panic. He’s essentially the EDGE3 until further notice.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Advertisement

Even in failure, Messi breaks records.

He will get the headlines for his prowess in front of goal, but there were also some unwanted records.

Argentina were awarded a penalty when Lautaro Martinez was brought down, but Messi fired the spot-kick wide.

“There was a moment where I was very angry about the penalty, because I missed it and I took it very, very badly,” said Messi. “Luckily we were able to reverse that situation, take the lead and get the three points.”

He became the first player to miss a penalty at the 2026 World Cup and has now both taken (seven) and missed (three) the most penalties in tournament history, excluding shootouts.

He has also failed to score six of 31 penalties for Argentina.

By making amends with his double, this was the first competitive match that Messi has scored in for Argentina after also missing a penalty.

“Messi is human after all, he’s allowed the odd mistake,” added Murphy.

Perhaps it was written in the stars for his record-breaking goal to be scored in true Messi fashion.

“He might have missed it on purpose,” Murphy joked. “Maybe breaking the record was meant for a better goal.”

South American football expert Tim Vickery added: “The gods of football obviously didn’t want him to break the record with a penalty, they wanted him to break the record with a goal from open play.

“Argentina have built the team around him and I just don’t want the carnival to end.”

While holding so many records, there are more for him to get.

Next on the list could be the most assists at a World Cup as Messi is currently level with Maradona on eight.

Jordan in the final group match (Sunday, 03:00 BST) is Messi’s next chance to make yet more footballing history.

Few nations enter major tournaments with a stronger blend of proven pedigree and emerging talent than France. Didier Deschamps has spent more than a decade constructing a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, and the depth available to him is one of the principal reasons Les Bleus continue to be viewed as one of the favourites in North America.

Mike Maignan provides security in goal, while William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano form the backbone of a defence filled with elite-level experience. In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni continues to grow into one of the most influential players in European football, supported by the enduring presence of N’Golo Kante.

The attacking options remain particularly intimidating. Kylian Mbappe is the headline figure, but he is supported by Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki, ensuring France possess a range of profiles capable of changing matches in different ways.

Their opening victory over Senegal was not flawless, yet it reinforced a familiar theme surrounding Deschamps’ teams. Even when France are not operating at their absolute peak, they retain the ability to seize control of matches through moments of individual brilliance and collective quality.

Morgan Rogers keen on a move to Arsenal, Marcus Rashford prepared to take pay cut to join Tottenham and Spurs also confident of signing Newcastle‘s Sandro Tonali.

Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers is keen on a move to Premier League champions Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners making the 23-year-old a top target. (Talksport) , external

Manchester United‘s England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, is prepared to take a pay cut to join Tottenham for £40m this summer after his Barcelona loan. (i paper), external

Tottenham are confident of signing Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali for a fee close to £85m, but the Italy international, 26, would rather join rivals Arsenal. (Daily Mail – subscription required), external

Chelsea‘s 26-year-old defender Trevoh Chalobah, who was a late call-up to England’s World Cup squad, is wanted by Como boss Cesc Fabregas. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Bayern Munich and Tottenham are both keen on 29-year-old Juventus defender Bremer, but the Brazilian is happy to stay in Turin. (Gianluca DiMarzio – in Italian), external

Barcelona have made a surprise approach to see if England striker Harry Kane, 32, would be open to leaving Bayern Munich for the Spanish club. (Sport – in Spanish) , external

Manchester United are prepared to accept a loss on 25-year-old Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte in order to sell him this summer. (Sun) , external

Leeds United have moved closer to finalising a deal for Southampton’s Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, 22, who only has a year left on his current contract. (Teamtalk), external

Brighton are closing in on the signing of 27-year-old Venezia and Austria defender Michael Svoboda. (Sky Sports) , external

Arsenal are yet to agree a deal to sign Kolkheti and Georgia Under-21 midfielder Andria Bartishvili, with Liverpool and Paris FC are also working on a move for the 17-year-old. (Talksport) , external

West Ham and France defender Jean-Clair Todibo, 26, is close to agreeing a loan move to Fenerbahce after the Hammers’ relegation. (Star – in Turkish), external

Manchester City are close to appointing former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

The move comes one month after Pep Guardiola announced that he would leave City after 10 successful years in charge.

Reports indicate that City and Chelsea have reached an agreement over compensation for Maresca, with the fee believed to be more than £10 million.

Chelsea were entitled to compensation because Maresca was under contract with the London club until 2029 before leaving his role in January. The Blues had been considering their legal options before the two clubs entered negotiations.

Maresca was quickly identified by City as their preferred choice to succeed Guardiola and lead the club into a new era.

Manchester City have not commented publicly on the reports.

The club’s players who are not involved in the ongoing World Cup are expected to return for pre-season training in mid-July.

Although the appointment has not yet been officially announced, transfer planning has continued behind the scenes. City are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.

The club have already seen two bids rejected for Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest and are expected to return with another offer.

The midfielder is being considered as a possible replacement for departing captain Bernardo Silva.

Football analyst Freddie Pye believes City remain an attractive destination for players despite Guardiola’s departure.

According to Pye, City continue to offer the chance to win trophies, world-class facilities and the opportunity to be part of an exciting new chapter under a new manager.

However, he also noted that some players may view Guardiola’s exit as the end of an era and could consider leaving the club after enjoying some of the most successful years in City’s history.

An official announcement on Maresca’s appointment is expected in the coming days as Manchester City prepare for life after Guardiola.