The Qatar World Cup final will be a battle played on the pitch and heard in the stands.
Argentina and France come to the momentous match, kicking off on Sunday at 6pm Qatar time, with their own rich footballing traditions that also include eclectic songs.
The latter is down to an interesting, albeit little-known fact to the casual World Cup viewer, that some of the songs heard in the stadium are pre-chosen by the competing teams.
Prior to the tournament, the football federation of each World Cup team submits the songs they want to be played when their side score a goal, to tournament organisers Fifa.
For example, Qatar’s official choice was Hena Maak by the group Al Majmouaa, Saudi Arabia’s pick was Al Saudia by Rashed Al-Majed, while Allez Allez Maroc by Hamid Bouchnak was heard in the Khalifa International Stadium when Morocco scored their only goal in their crushing defeat to Croatia on Saturday.
What will Argentina fans be singing?
So what should Argentina fans expect to hear if Lionel Messi delivers another wonder goal tonight?
It will be the powerful sounds of rap/rock track Luz Delito by hip-hop star Wos. Released in 2019, it features the signature guitar riff of the 1996 song Luzbelito y las sirenas by Argentine rock band Patrico Patricio Rey.
Imbued within the lyrics is a warning to the opposition: "I have a thousand ways to fan the fire If I look at you seriously, I might burn you."
Another song making its mark with Argentine fans is Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar (Boys, Now We’re Excited Again).
Reworked from an older song by the group La Mosca Tse - Tse, the new version, released in 2019, has frontman Guillermo Novellis summon Argentina's mighty history of footballing greats, including Diego Maradona and Messi, in order to inspire the national team to clinch their third World Cup.
"Now we’ve got our hopes up again I want to win the third I want to be world champion," the lyrics say.
France's celebration songs for the World Cup 2022
Fans and viewers will be more than familiar with the gnarly guitars and "woohoo" chants of Song 2 by Blur, which France picked as their official goal celebration track.
Not only was it a hit in 1997, the song has become something of a ubiquitous presence in Qatar with France, alongside England, scoring an impressive 13 goals so far, the most of any side in the tournament.
With all these songs in the mix, we can expect the World Cup 2022 final in Qatar to be an epic and pitch-perfect footballing duel.
World Cup anthems, who sang it best? From Shakira to Ricky Martin — in pictures
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Balqees recorded 'Light the Sky' for the Qatar tournament, with the song also featuring Nora Fatehi, Rahma Riad, Manal and RedOne. AFP -
World Cup 2022's latest single 'Tukoh Taka' featuring rapper Nicki Minaj, Colombian singer Maluma and Lebanese artist Myriam Fares blends the artists' respective styles and features lyrics in English, Spanish and Arabic. -
French rapper Gims, left, performs one of the official songs for the Qatar World Cup ‘Arhbo’, with Puerto Rican reggae star Ozuna. AFP -
Nigerian-American singer Davido and American singer Trinidad Cardona released ‘Hayya Hayya (Better Together)' for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The song also features Qatari singer Aisha. AFP -
American singer Nicky Jam released 'Live It Up' with Will Smith and Era Istrefi for the 2018 tournament in Russia. AFP -
Moroccan singer Samira Said sang 'Allez Lmgharba' for the 2018 World Cup. AFP -
Moroccan singer Ahmed Chawki recorded 'Time of Our Lives' for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Photo: Albert Farran -
It was time for Africa and Shakira's chance at World Cup glory. Her soundtrack 'Waka Waka' for the South Africa tournament in 2010 is up there with the very best. AFP -
Anastacia sang the forgettable 'Boom' for the 2002 World Cup. AFP -
Daryl Hall performed 'Gloryland' for the 1996 World Cup in the US. AFP -
'The Cup of Life' by Ricky Martin is considered one of the greatest World Cup songs. He recorded it for the 1998 tournament in France. AFP
