“There’s a hell lot of politics in football” – Tommy Docherty
This year marks the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico – a first time tri-nation hosts arguably the biggest event that shakes an anticipated excitement to the whole world. Sixteen cities will cater 48 countries – the largest by far in the sport’s history. The 23rd FIFA World Cup is the most budgeted in the history of the sport and stands to make a $9 billion dollar revenue boosting local economies of the host countries.
Participating countries will also divide among them hefty shares of the budget making this year’s edition more exciting and surprises expectedly providing perhaps an “unthinkable” excitement making the sport’s fans of the sports to a more enjoyable FIFA World Cup.
STAKES ARE HIGH
In retrospect, the 2022 Qatar World Cup was observed by football as one of the most controversial hosting hounded by issues ranging from bidding, human rights, climate change and cultural issues. Qatar, as a muslim country, had hard and fast restrictions enforced that curtailed workers whose services were used, especially migrant workers that were allegedly forced to work more than the required hours and were explicitly marginalized in the course of the Argentina capture of the trophy against France. Prior to the event there was alleged corruption that even Qatar fell short of the global standards of a host country given its size and facilities was able to win the bidding to host the event.
The hosting led to tight schedules and that FIFA World Cup is a summer event – extreme heat in the host cities of Qatar were felt causing discomfort and sickness among athletes and fans alike. Culture was also a factor in the Qatar because beliefs and practices were imposed that left other sectors such as LGBT constricted. These are the issues that will be faced by the 3 country hosts.
SEAL THE CRACKS
The biggest global sports event has more than enough controversies of different kinds and foreseen challenges must be anticipated prior to the actual events considering all resources poured in by the host countries. One difficulty is the travel restrictions of the fans who will travel across the three countries with different visa requirements. Travelling to three countries clearly requires extensive travels which means big expenses for fans and tourists.
It is not expected that challenges are fully anticipated and prevented but the host countries obviously are into deep political and economic scrutiny more likely to fall to controversy with the hosting of the sports event may well be a factor. The FIFA leadership must take more than an extra mile to seal the leaks and prevent that more leaks to burst to avoid exposing more political and economic criticisms.
FOOTBALL MAGIC
Governments and states across Africa, Europe, and South America are dealt with very different history, culture and socio-political and economic dynamics.
In Africa, it is a unifying force among states for their identity with bold ethnic and linguistic character. It is a political symbol during victories solidifying legitimacy and pride that triggers progress and resilience. Some African states adopt the European strategy of “political neutrality” to football which clashes with political realities deeply entangled in states leadership and governance in the continent. It is a critical instrument for fair representation, including financial distribution from FIFA among member countries.
Conversely, football in Europe is independent from politics. Team owners in domestic leagues sanctioned by FIFA it has strong regulations manifesting its independence from politics. More than any other other countries the sport is a major industry – it is a very powerful and encompassing business. An economic powerhouse of the Eureapan union which includes broadcasting to tourism. It is the governments that assist the sport for an unstoppable breakthrough towards economic boom.
In South America the sport is deeply woven into their culture especially the sports powerhouses’ Argentina and Brazil. Culturally, the sport is very dominant to maintain the states’ stature in the global scene at times distracting repression or impact of economic showcased by Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Even dictatorships and military rulers continue to ride on the popularity of sport. For South Americans football is more than an honor and stadium are more “sacred” than churches.
WIN THE GAME
Every win in a football match of international scale could mean life and death for a football crazy country especially if it qualifies for the world cup. This year’s biggest sports event in the world constantly comes different perspective and end goals. For some it is an economic driver.*
