I’d heard the complaints about Russia being allowed to host in 2018.
I’d heard the issues around Qatar in 2022.
It felt like football was getting grimier as time rolled on. It seemed that cash was king (when is it not these days) and we were now reaching a point were worker and human rights were being called into question for our entertainment.
I decided I was out.
I’ve always had a moral compass that pulls towards what I hope is the right direction.
It’s not always quite as strong a pull as I would like however.
I was turning ten the summer of Italia ‘90. Everyone was chatting about it in school. It was the first tournament I remember watching. At ten years of age I believed (and still hold the view) that Maradona was the greatest I have ever seen.
Roger Mila danced, Gazza cried, Pavarotti was banging out Nessun Dorm all over the place, I was engrossed by it all.
Ever since then the World Cup was must see and as I was young and naive I never considered anything to do with the political or the rights of those involved. I wnted the stars, the noise, the teams you never heard of. I wanted to lose my mind at the skill level - Bergkamp’s goal v Argentina anyone?
Time however is a cruel mistress as the cliche says and as of Qatar 2022 I was turning 44. Your sense of right and wrong is a different beast, enhanced. informed. You’re aware of the news cycle and now that we live in a social media era your are never too far from some grim viewing.
So by the time Qatar was here I was all done with news, all done with silent compliance and was beginning to plan how best to avoid this iteration of the greatest tournament in sport.
I avoided all group games. It was actually easier than I thought. Not a single minute passed my eyes. While I stayed informed with newspapers and podcasts I hadn’t watched anything so felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.
There was however something I had failed to consider.
The knock out phase.
Heavy weight clashes.
The point where the rubber truly meets the road.
I couldn’t help myself I got sucked in.
Morocco put out Spain on penalties in the last 16, the took out Portugal in the quarter finals. Was this the point an African team could go the distance?
The Netherlands and Argentina had a feisty quarter final and played some football too!
And then….that final.
The Messi Mbappe shoot out and the culmination of another Argentinian 10 being the greatest to ever do it. One of the great finals of the modern era and I felt the guilt. right after I turned off my TV.
I’d tried I really had, but football being at its seductive best was just irresistible to me! As much as I wanted to I couldn’t look away because this was, even with everything circling it, the greatest sporting tournament in the world.
There have been many articles over the last few weeks talking of boycotts again this time round. The USA isn’t exactly in it’s best chapter right now let’s be honest. The conditions are such that some fans aren’t even allowed in to the country. Even if they make it in will they be safe with violent paramilitary style immigration forces roaming the streets?
It’s dark, it’s bleak, it’s dystopian and current all at the same time and yet this tournament will go ahead. The teams will play. The biggest stars will culminate and hopefully provide some relief from it all and I hope speak some truth to power while doing so.
As for me well….. I’d love to tell you I could do it. That I could keep away. Keep my conscience clear and my spirit pure but this is the World Cup. This is the greatest tournament on Earth.
The world will be watching and for better or worse so will I.
I think by speaking out, sharing our thoughts, and continuing our discussions, we're doing the best we can.
We all fell in love with football. We are not the guilty party here.
Watch, speak, make others stop and think.
And my first World Cup was Mexico '86 - I think differently about Maradona ;)
Have been thinking about writing something similar. You've summed it up pretty much perfectly here. I also had every intention of boycotting Qatar, but it only takes a tiny taste of coverage and I get immediately sucked in. And that final... actually pleased to be able to say I witnessed that.
I will say that I think boycotting the US will be easier given the fixture scheduling & time zone difference. It's tricky, because now that I run the newsletter I feel like I need to watch it to be informed. But maybe that's just an excuse - there are other ways of getting the information. It'll probably be a last minute decision for me, but as it stands I certainly won't be watching the group stages at least.