The stakes are high for the Seleção as a fractured country’s future might just begin to be mended if they win a sixth titleEvery four years, the district of Caiçara in Belo Horizonte transforms itself. Rows of Brazilian flags dance from lamp-posts and telephone poles; the roads and pavements are slathered in blue, green and yellow paint by an army of volunteers.It is a tradition that goes back to the 1994 World Cup, and until now has taken place entirely without objection. This time, however, the local community felt it necessary to issue a caveat. And so, in among the bunting and the balloons, a banner reads: “NÃO É POLÍTICA, É COPA.” It’s not politics, it’s the cup. Continue reading...
Lack of preparation time means that most competing nations in Qatar will not have had the chance to try fresh faces or tacticsIf only the World Cup could be about the football. Last week, Fifa sent a letter to the football authorities of the 32 competing nations to urge them to “focus on the football” and to ensure it is not “dragged into every ideological or political battle”. Which is fine so long as you are not gay, a woman, a migrant labourer, a believer in democracy or a person with a conscience – or indeed any of the people Gianni Infantino claimed to be in his risibly hypocritical speech on Saturday.This is, of course, the same Fifa president who...
Late decision on the sale of alcohol in World Cup stadiums shows that the host nation is running the show, not FifaThe ink was barely dry on Qatar’s decision to ban alcohol from World Cup stadiums when an informed insider in Doha was asked why it was happening now, just 48 hours before the tournament’s big kick-off. His response was succinct. “It’s a deliberate fuck you to the west.”Of course it was. Yes, the Qataris wanted to ensure that fans of every nation, religion and creed feel comfortable at matches – and that wouldn’t be the case if some were boozed-up or blotto. And yes, Qatar remains a conservative Muslim country, in which alcohol is alien to the culture. But...
Six female officials from five confederations will take part at the tournament in Qatar and hopefully this marks just the startWomen will officiate at a men’s World Cup for the first time in Qatar – and that is a positive step for female officials across the globe. Three referees and three assistant referees will form part of the 129 match officials who will cover the 64 matches and their selections are nothing to do with gender and all about merit.The 36 referees, 69 assistant referees and 24 video match officials have been selected on their performances during Fifa fixtures and at other international and domestic competitions. Continue reading...
Football should try to expand to new regions, but awarding a World Cup to Qatar was a mistake on a number of levelsAs tournament director of Euro 2024, I am meeting many people from the huge German football base. They are children in jerseys with whom I take selfies, youth coaches who teach rules to their players, presidents of small clubs who have been volunteers for decades. They all love the lightness of football, know its educational power, appreciate its importance to our community.When the conversation turns to Qatar, however, their tone becomes serious. Many consider missing a World Cup voluntarily for the first time in their lives. In the past, a World Cup was a folk festival, for children...