A bigger, fatter FIFA World Cup starts on June 11, with the United States of America, Canada and Mexico as co-hosts, where uncertainty is the buzzword. For several reasons, one does not know what to expect this time, though what is felt in unison is that the action in ‘The Beautiful Game’ will be riveting.
From an Indian point of view, even though the sport at home languishes at the bottom, there is no dearth of football-crazy fans. In terms of popularity and ease of understanding, football is loved by people the world over. India is lucky that, finally, it will be telecast on Zee, something that had been delayed inordinately.
After the pulsating action in the Indian Premier League, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged champions, it is time for a change of flavour. Certainly, football will be consumed lavishly in the coming period, till July 19.
When one compares cricket with football, in India at least, the craze for the willow sport exceeds all limits. However, once the FIFA World Cup roars to life, all talk will be of free-kicks, headers, offside decisions and penalties. Sample this: till the 2022 edition of the World Cup, hosted with relish by Qatar, the event seemed so close to home. The new edition of the World Cup is far away, across multiple time zones.
At a time when sports bodies around the globe come in for flak for being overly commercial, football is no exception. There is an excess of club football taking place across the world. Nobody minds it, as there is viewership for each such event. Who would have thought CR7, considered past his prime, would move away from Europe and ply his trade in a rich league in Saudi Arabia? That Cristiano Ronaldo now lives like a rich Sheikh in a palatial mansion in the desert is well known.
Back to the World Cup, for a record sixth time, Ronaldo will be representing Portugal. They are certainly not a side featured among the favourites by the bookmakers. For sure, the legend of CR7 will be on view. At 41, he is trying to tell the world that age is just a number. In terms of fitness, speed and agility, he still looks good while playing club football in Saudi Arabia. The World Cup, however, will be very different and far more challenging.
To think that Ronaldo plays for personal milestones alone is wrong. When Portugal fared poorly in the last World Cup, fans thought they had seen CR7 for the last time. He has ensured that he remains relevant and continues to play for Portugal, a nation that once had famous names who evoked awe and excitement. Portugal in the 2026 World Cup is certainly not a heavyweight.
If Ronaldo is there for the romantics who have admired him for such a long time, Lionel Messi, who turns 39 on June 27, is still a major force. Football is a demanding sport in many ways. Speed, skill and cunning — Messi still possesses them all and continues to play free-flowing football as he leads the campaign of defending champions Argentina. Those who love the South American flavour will still back Argentina passionately. However, even teams that are not heavily hyped can do well.
The 48-team format for the World Cup is massive. If some think the size is unwieldy, the custodians of world football disagree. There is a common feeling that there is no reason to limit the draw. At the same time, more teams mean more matches, which is good news for television. Football is about sponsorship, massive broadcast rights and how the sport is sold for megabucks.
Given the size of FIFA’s membership, which stands at 211, there is no equitable distribution. Europe contributes 55 members, Africa 54, North America, Central America and the Caribbean 41, Asia 47, Oceania 11, and South America 11. Out of these, if 48 teams are in the World Cup proper, it means increased representation in the biggest sporting event in the world.
For those who follow football, the World Cup comes next to, or just behind, the Summer Olympics. So, for every team that has made the cut, it is an achievement. And for those who have missed out, notably former champions Italy, it is a time to mourn. Italy’s football has been going downhill for a long period. Missing a third World Cup in a row is cause for consternation. Of course, the reasons for the slide are many, but they point to a system that has failed.
As winners of Euro 2020, Italy flattered to deceive. There is a bigger problem within their football system, one that can be solved only from within. Their Serie A has become less competitive and clubs increasingly look for cheap options. In addition, despite repeated calls for a revamp, nothing has worked. Italy failing to qualify once again is agonising for old-timers.
Just as Italy will be missed, so will Nigeria. The African nation failed to make the cut after losing out to Congo. This is the second successive World Cup Nigeria will miss, having also been absent in Qatar. The reasons include poor football administration at home, something that remains crucial. So, if one looks at the 48 teams that have come through to the main draw, they have done so after tough qualification campaigns.
Talk of European teams and France and England will be hyped. These two nations, along with Spain and Brazil, will dominate most data-driven predictions. Whether such forecasts hold true over a long tournament remains to be seen. France has been in the news for the wrong reasons, with PSG winning the UEFA Champions League title last Sunday in Paris against Arsenal. What followed was ugly, with hoodlums setting parts of Paris ablaze, including areas near the Eiffel Tower.
The World Cup is taking place at a time when there is turmoil across the globe. The Iran conflict has turned increasingly ugly, which is unfortunate. It hurts to see so much destruction in the region and neighbouring countries. Iran did qualify for the World Cup but still awaits visas to enter the USA, where it is scheduled to play important matches. As of now, what one hears is that Iran will be based in Mexico. There is every possibility that, given the lack of trust between America and Iran, the war-hit nation may face additional hurdles. How FIFA ensures Iran can play its matches in the USA will be interesting, of which visa issuance is only one aspect.
Viewed from a security angle, holding the World Cup in the USA will be challenging. Security concerns, logistics and high ticket prices — criticised even by locals in America — continue to make news. The number of venues earmarked for the FIFA World Cup is huge. Flying between cities will not be a problem for national teams. However, fans wishing to attend matches at multiple venues will face challenges. Airfares and hotel prices are extremely high. This is going to be a very different experience compared to Qatar in 2022.
What will fans experience as ‘new’ in 2026? Certainly, the World Cup is not only about well-known names. One has already seen lesser-known players ready to make a mark. In a warm-up event, Haiti defeating New Zealand 4-0 was certainly surprising. For those who were critical of Qatar and Doha because of the restrictions, the USA, Canada and Mexico are likely to provide a far more open and festive atmosphere.
The American version of soccer is more popular than traditional football in the USA, but the fact that the country secured the rights to host this World Cup is significant. Preparations have been meticulous, but the real test will begin only when the World Cup roars into action. America last hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994, when Brazil defeated Italy in a penalty shootout in Los Angeles. Can an energetic Brazil produce the same magic this time? That remains to be seen. This time, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host the final on July 19.
No story on World Cup football is complete without a mention of England. Harry Kane leads a side managed by Thomas Tuchel. They last won the World Cup in 1966, 60 years ago. As much as the English media goes gaga over every FIFA World Cup, England’s performances have often fallen short of expectations. To do well in the USA, they are under intense scrutiny.