It's been a solid minute since I last blogged about a football World Cup. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but the magic just isn't there as much for me anymore.
Or, it could be that FIFA, and it's spineless, sycophantic, and [likely] corrupt leadership are doing everything they can to damage the game because of money 💰. The football itself has produced some amazing moments, but the stuff around it has taken the gloss of what we all come together to watch and celebrate; what makes the football itself magical.
There were many things that distracted from the football at this tournament. Just to list a few:
- 'Hydration' breaks that conveniently allowed for ad breaks in the middle of a half: I don't think that many fans oppose a hydration break in truly sweltering conditions, but when it's 21C and raining, perhaps it's more about placing ads where they've never been in football rather than for 'player welfare'. Let's hope the near-universal backlash to this make it never be a thing again.
- Accepting sponsorship and ads from so-called 'prediction markets': FIFA has traditionally banned gambling advertising and sponsorships for its events, however in this World Cup, they've been more than happy to take money from high-profile 'prediction markets' (which everyone and their dog know is just loosely regulated gambling that's even more exposed to insider trading). It's a stain to have a sporting event associated with this industry, let alone the biggest sporting event in the world.
- Football teams and officials blocked from the US: FIFA's rolling over and not standing up for tournament participants (whether it is the best referee from Africa that happens to be Somalian, or the Iranian football team), is disgusting for an organisation whose official motto is "Football Unites the World". Nothing says 'uniting the world' like telling us to 'relax' and 'chill' when participants are being unduly hindered or prevented from participating!
- Political pressure affecting football decisions: The scandalous decision to suspend a ban for an American player (after President Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino) for no football reason was something that would never have happened if it was any other country's player. This, more than anything, highlighted the craven corruption FIFA has shown at this World Cup.
- Final match half-time show: FIFA's own rules that fundamentally state a half-time break cannot be longer than 15 minutes was also thrown out the window. Again, player welfare meant nothing (too much cooldown can lead to injuries), as a show and more advertising/sponsorships is more important.
That FIFA has hosted the last three World Cups wholly or partially in countries that have had massive political or social issues distracting from the football (Russia, Qatar, USA) is a disgrace. At least the next one held in 2030 in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco should be less controversial.
On the football side, many games were at great times to watch in Australia, and it was funny to see the Europeans complaining about having to wake up at crazy hours to watch their teams (welcome to our world!).
Australia played ok in the group stage, but although they were largely the better team in the R32 knockout match against Egypt, penalties were (again) heartbreaking.
I'm quite happy all the team's big stars (such as Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, Haaland, etc.) all seemed to have their time in the spotlight, and all fell short. There were some amazing games and amazing moments.
Spain largely went under the radar for most of the tournament, only really catching the eye for their total domination of the fancied French in their semi-final. Spain just seemed to get their business done without being too flashy, and only conceding one goal in the expanded tournament is quite amazing.
Argentina were very unlikeable in the latter stages of the tournament, and their performance in the final was totally atrocious: lots of cynical, niggly fouls, and not a single shot on target in 120 minutes! It was a big relief to see Torres score in extra time to win it (although Williams had an earlier goal crazily ruled out for a nothing foul).
Hopefully all the Arsenal players can now get a decent rest, because the start of the Premier League season is somehow only a month away. Poor Declan Rice especially has been running on fumes, after playing 69 games (5,394 minutes) this season.