Mexico City — England has received its first warning ahead of Sunday’s round of 16 match against Mexico in the 2026 World Cup — and it didn’t come from the pitch or a player, but from the guitars of Mexican rock band Caifanes.
The song “Aquí No Es Así” (It’s Not Like That Here) has taken over TikTok, Instagram and other platforms, where Mexican fans are using it in videos that mix images of the English team, British landscapes, moments from El Tri and celebrations at the Estadio Azteca.
One of the verses chosen to address the European team goes: “You keep walking over old territories, invoking forces you will never understand.” The edit then cuts to Mexican players and a fanbase convinced that no matter how big the opponent seems, here it’s not like that.
The track, released on June 29, 1994 as part of the album El nervio del volcán, has taken on a completely different meaning within the World Cup conversation. Although it was not written for soccer, its solemn, defiant lyrics loaded with cultural references ended up serving as a tailor-made warning for the English.
The musical battle has also spilled into the comments. While England boasts bands like Oasis, Mexican fans have started responding with phrases like “Oasis? Caifanes is better,” turning the pre-match buildup into an unexpected clash of British rock vs. Mexican rock.
Other users are already calling for “Aquí No Es Así” to be played at the Estadio Azteca before the teams take the field. “Play it in the stadium” and “this song at full voice” are some of the requests accompanying the viral videos.
The song joins the memes, chants and provocations that have surrounded Mexico vs. England. In recent days, even Liam Gallagher and Fher Olvera entered the exchange after the British singer predicted an English rout, a comment that drew responses from fans and Mexican figures.
Mexico and England will face off this Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. local time in Cancún, at the Estadio Azteca, officially named Estadio Ciudad de México during the tournament. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.
