British politician demanded exclusion of Argentine footballers from the final

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup final approaches, where Spain and Argentina will compete for the title, fans can extend the rivalry beyond the pitch by using a menu inspired by both teams.

Final Details and Atmosphere

The countdown has begun to the FIFA 2026 World Cup final match, which will take place on Sunday, July 19th, at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Whether you support Argentina with Lionel Messi or the new Spanish team led by Lamine Yamal, any great viewing party requires food, drinks, and music that matches the event.

Menu for Team Spain

Spanish cuisine is famous for its culture of sharing, making tapas an ideal choice for a sports gathering. It is recommended to start with patatas bravas—crispy potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli. You should also add a bowl of albondigas—tender meatballs made from pork and beef, cooked in a rich tomato sauce with chorizo.

For drinks, a refreshing tinto de verano is suitable: mix equal parts fruit red wine and lemon-lime soda over ice, adding a slice of fresh lemon. This drink is light, refreshing, and perfect for a long day of football.

Music Accompaniment for Spain

No Spanish party goes without music. To set the mood, you can play songs by Rosalía's 'Malamente', Enrique Iglesias' 'Bailando', S. Tagana's 'Tú Me Dejaste De Querer', and Estopa's 'Como Camarón'. This selection combines pop, rumba, and modern Spanish sounds, maintaining a high level of energy.

Flavors and Passion of Argentina

Argentina offers vibrant flavor accents. Guests should be served empanadas Mendocinas, filled with seasoned beef, onion, olives, and hard-boiled egg. Additionally, choripán—grilled chorizo sausage served in fresh bread and generously seasoned with chimichurri, the famous mixture of parsley, garlic, oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar—is excellent.

Drinks and Playlist for Argentina

To maintain authenticity, Fernet Branca with cola is recommended for drinks, a favorite beverage throughout Argentina. Prepare it by pouring one part Fernet over ice and topping up with three parts cola.

The playlist can be assembled by including tracks by Bizarrap and Shakira's 'Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53', Soda Stereo's 'De Música Ligera', Trueno's 'Dance Crip', and La Mosca Tse Tse's 'Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar'. This is the perfect soundtrack for every dribble, save, and goal.

Combining the Menu

If your guests support both teams, you can combine the menus. Fill the table with tapas, empanadas, choripán, and chimichurri, allowing the playlists to alternate throughout the day. By the time the final whistle blows, everyone will enjoy the taste of Spain, a piece of Argentina, and a football celebration worthy of the biggest match on the planet.

Sixteen-year-old Zise Mkhize, a rising star in cricket from Jeppe High School, attended the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards ceremony. For him, this event served as a source of inspiration, fueling his dream of becoming one of the country's leading players.

Dreams of professional sport

Mkhize shared in an exclusive interview with IOL that the opportunity to see the awards ceremony for professional athletes is very motivating. He stated that he sees himself on that stage in a couple of years.

Success in school cricket

Mkhize has already established himself as one of South Africa's most promising young all-rounders, having been named the player of the SA20 Boys Switch Schools tournament. His journey resembles that of Proteas star Themba Bavuma, who received a scholarship to study at Jeppe, one of Johannesburg's leading cricket schools.

He recounted starting cricket at the age of six, initially playing street cricket before transitioning to red ball cricket. Despite initial apprehension towards the ball, he noted that everything begins with that.

Development at Jeppe High School

Although Mkhize showed great potential even in primary school, his game significantly improved after enrolling at Jeppe High School for Boys. This progress was the result of hard work, not sudden success. The first two years at the school were not perfect, but in the third year, he put in maximum effort, which allowed him to make it into the first team, where he continues to play. Recently, he participated in a team trip to Mpumalanga and plans to return there after the ceremony.

The young talent, who will turn 17 in September, still resides in Kagiso, Krugersdorp. When asked about his best personal achievement so far, he laughed, mentioning a big score of 186, but decided that it was too early for such an accomplishment.

Long-term career goals

Mkhize's plans include participating in the prestigious Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week, which is the pinnacle of provincial cricket for under-19 players in South Africa. Furthermore, his immediate main goal is to have the honor of playing for the South African U19 national team, representing the 'green and gold'. The youth understands that achieving these goals will require immense hard work, dedication, and constant focus.