FIFA World Cup: The ultimate unifier
Image: Sports Illustrated
The FIFA World Cup will officially kick off this weekend and I think it's safe to say that this year feels a little different from past tournaments. The World Cup has, for many of us, been synonymous with a month-long summer party so to have the tournament at this time of year feels somehow wrong. This odd feeling is compounded by the significant number of players that will miss out due to injury - an expected side effect of holding the world’s biggest sporting event in the middle of all the major football leagues’ regular season.
But even if all of these factors could be temporarily cast aside, the biggest shadow that has plagued this World Cup is the controversy that FIFA and the host country Qatar have been embroiled in during the lead up to the main event. The latest example of this is the recent release of the Netflix documentary FIFA Uncovered, that outlines in devastating detail the organization’s long history of corruption and misconduct. This, coupled with Qatar’s scrutiny and rightful criticism over the many migrant deaths that occurred over the years to build the stadiums for the tournament, mean that the usual positive atmosphere that accompanies our favorite sporting event has been irrevocably marred.
It is difficult not to become jaded and cynical when you pull the curtain back and dive into the mess that FIFA has created behind the scenes of this tournament. But as football fans we must not push the dark side of our beloved sport under the rug and choose to remain ignorant. Failing to demand accountability for the wrongdoing of these evil actors would be an insult to the game we love.
The one thing that we must remember in the midst of all the negativity and chaos, is the real spirit and intention behind the World Cup. Football is the ultimate unifier. It creates a time when you can forget about everything else going on for those 90 minutes and join a community whose only stipulation for acceptance is simply: pick a side. Differences are forgotten in joyous celebrations, while hearts simultaneously break for those unfortunate souls on the losing side. But the key factor to note is that regardless of which side you find yourself on at the end of the game, you will endure this joy or sorrow in strong solidarity with others.
The differences that often divide us can be cast aside for that magical month when we come together to celebrate the beautiful game with all its captivating drama - THAT is the true power that football holds.
Let the games begin!
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