[ad_1]
After years of worry, everything was fine in the night. That's always the case. Just as the riots did not materialize in Brazil in 2014, hooliganism hardly made its way to Russia. This will fall, on and off the field, as one of the most successful world cups of all time.
As it became clear that Russia was organizing a well-organized tournament, questions about the process by which it was awarded to them has faded. The indignation that we felt when Russia beat England in the electoral process eight years ago sparked admiration for the welcome and openness of the country host.
All fears that the atmosphere of this tournament was sterilized were quickly dispelled. South Americans in particular came in droves, bringing color and noise wherever they went. The undeniable climax was the fervent continuation of Peru, making unimaginable sacrifices to be in Russia and maintain their good mood even after the early exit of the Incas.
From England, where the anti-Russian feeling is stronger than in other countries, there were fewer supporters than usual. Yet while travel fans published positive reports about the host country and as England went further than one could have imagined, more and more supporters started flocking to the Eastern Front
. matte and completely bought in the tournament. All the skepticism about the ability of their own team was quickly blown away by the magic of the World Cup and by their performance on the first day, when their much-maligned team demolished Saudi Arabia
. Cup in Russia, they were always going to host a good tournament. It is the largest country in the world, and one who cares to present a positive image of himself on the last pages at a time when the front is rarely nice.
FIFA's mandate to "take the World Cup to new places" can be a convenient lie, but it is rooted in a truth. The World Cup unites people, inspires nations and changes perceptions. The excitement of Russian football and the pbadion of his people have helped to shake his image as a clinical and cold giant of a country.
The World Cup allows us to forget the political quarrels these days. Chances are you will find yourself for Iran and Russia at some point in this tournament, no matter what you think of these two nations. Penalties, not Putin, will be the permanent memory of Russia in the summer of 2018.
FIFA is therefore breathing a huge sigh of relief. Their first bet – the smaller of the two – paid off. But they know that the real test will come in four and a half years, when the World Cup is hosted by a nation with blazing temperatures, no footballing heritage, and a horrendous record in human rights.
score, FIFA has already lost the next battle. People died while building the infrastructure for Qatar 2022, a tragedy that football's governing bodies are determined to sweep under the carpet. We talked about boycotts, but it would take a huge collective effort to make it worthwhile and no one would want to miss the World Cup.
A Winter World Cup is unattractive either because the tournament is synonymous with summer like sun and barbecues. Forget the outdoor parties, we'll sing "It's Coming Home" wrapped in blankets on the couch. Christmas decorations on the theme of England will make at least a hubbub.
Gianni Infantino declined to comment on whether the tournament will have 32 or 48 teams, meaning it will probably be the last one. More money, innit? Whatever it is, we know that from 2026, it will be extended to an unmanageable size. Four Asian teams worse than Saudi Arabia? Three North American teams worse than Panama? I can hardly wait.
It is ironic that the organization responsible for organizing the World Cup seems to be locked in a constant battle with it. FIFA has long since stopped pretending to be concerned about the quality of football played in its most prestigious tournament, so concerned about its financial gains.
Even this summer, FIFA made small changes that could have ruined the World Cup. The introduction of sowing in all pots, for example, has eliminated the possibility of a group of deaths, which means that more large teams could progress to the knockout stages. We have to get these money-makers in the last 16 years, am I right?
But this has returned dramatically, because the World Cup complains of being boring. He refuses to be restrained by the restrictions imposed on him. Do you want to keep the big teams apart? Joke on you. Reputations mean nothing for the World Cup, as evidenced by Germany, Argentina and the absent Italians. None of the 2014 semi-finalists have reached this stage this time.
Alexander Hbadenstein / GettyImages
The decision to award the World Cup in Qatar was full of questions about the location and the climate. But you can organize the World Cup on the dark side of the moon and football fans will always find a way to feel at home.
Qatar as a host is not going to kill the World Cup. The winter time is not going to kill the World Cup. The expansion to 48 teams will not kill the World Cup. The World Cup is different from other tournaments because it exists as much in the collective imagination of the world as in the field. As long as he continues to capture this imagination, he lives.
Give us 22 players, a football, a playground and a crowd of pbadionate fans. The World Cup will find a way. See you in four years.
Source link
