The World Cup will not solve the globe’s problems, but it can bring us together
After months of controversy, the tournament has finally kicked off, and it may just live up to its billing as the greatest show on earth
The World Cup of chaos, as some have dubbed it, was plagued by controversy in the months leading up to its opening ceremony last week. Now that the tournament has finally kicked off, the focus will thankfully be on the football, rather than visa denials or exorbitant ticket prices. The tournament might just live up to its billing as the greatest show on earth.
The host nations have given the World Cup an early boost with encouraging performances fuelling the excitement of the home fans. The US and Mexico won their opening games and Canada, with a draw, scored their first ever point in the competition.
Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, the sport’s governing body, promised the event will be “the greatest celebration of humanity”. Most fans would settle for a much more modest achievement: a thrilling exhibition of the world’s best football, without the politics or the pandering to US President Donald Trump.
The opening match saw Mexico beat South Africa in the iconic Azteca Stadium. South Korea, the first Asian team to play, then defeated the Czech Republic 2-1, enjoying strong support from the Mexican crowd.