Suzi Perry

Not Katy's sister ;-) 🐺Broadcaster & Journalist. Work [email protected] insta - suziperry100

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Just when I was trying to drag myself away from this great city that never sleeps and never stops, I walk into a Soho diner in NYC and they’ve got the Clash on. Rudy Can’t Fail. Not a Clash classic (don’t @ me) but clearly a diner with taste. Anyway, time to go, airport beckons, London’s calling.

But a few thoughts on the way home from my 10th World Cup (and already looking forward to 2030, the World Cup remains the greatest sports event on earth). 2026 has been a good World Cup - Rodri, Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, Bellingham, Spain worthy winners, some epic games, some special stories of unknowns becoming global names.

But it’s been a tournament of two halves. The negative part: the ticket greed, the tampering with much-loved traditions that work and the damage of external political interference in the game - all on President Infantino’s watch.

These negatives contrast with the joy of much of the football and the joy of the fans partying in USA, Canada and Mexico. Mixing with each other, whatever the rivalry, mixing with locals in all three host nations. The Tartan Army set the tone of fun and games. Norway’s rowers took it on (I fancy them for the LA Olympics, maybe they were simply acclimatising). England fans played their part with their flags and the unforgettable Wonderwall.

Football doesn’t belong to Infantino. It belongs to Rodri and Bellingham, to Olise, Vozinha and all those who have given their all and entertained us so wonderfully over these past few memorable weeks.

It belongs to the selfless stadium volunteers from local soccer clubs and all stadium staff who have worked so hard to make match-day run smoothly. Football belongs to the people. Not the presidents.

[Man City Brazil @ManCityBrazil]

O comentarista suíço David Lemos, encerrou a transmissão resumindo com precisão os problemas desta Copa do Mundo, ele foi perfeito.

🗣️"Não há dúvidas de que esta foi a Copa do Mundo mais comercial da história e também uma das mais politizadas."

"Não esqueceremos os preços que pessoas sem grande poder aquisitivo tiveram de pagar para viver sua paixão pelo futebol."

"Em alguns casos, sequer puderam entrar no país por causa de sua nacionalidade, fossem torcedores, jornalistas ou até árbitros, como o somali Omar Artan."

"Também lembramos do tratamento inaceitável dado à seleção do Irã, que não pôde defender suas chances de forma adequada durante o torneio."

"E há ainda o caso de Folarin Balogun. Vimos um presidente se vangloriar de ter ligado para o presidente da FIFA para conseguir retirar a suspensão de um jogador."

"A política se infiltrou no coração do futebol, embora a FIFA afirme querer mantê-la acima de tudo. Fica claro que isso só vale até certo ponto."

"Foi uma Copa do Mundo em que todas as partidas foram disputadas em quatro tempos, e cuja final teve um intervalo de quase 30 minutos."

"A crise tem dois nomes: dinheiro e poder. Hoje existe uma crise de confiança entre muitos dos envolvidos no futebol e a FIFA."

"Nas próximas semanas, muito dinheiro será distribuído a diversas federações e a muitos agentes do futebol, que serão educadamente convidados a permanecer em silêncio."

"Esperamos que tudo isso seja levado em consideração e que não volte a acontecer."

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Of all the things I worry about with Gianni Infantino the colour of his shoes is the least of them. OK, white trainers looks like he thinks he’s a player, he’s a 56-year-old suit trying to be cool and it actually cheapens the office of FIFA president. All true. But, really, I’m more concerned about Infantino’s relationship with the White House than love of white trainers.

I’m more concerned about his allowance of external interference in disciplinary matters; his wooing of politicians when a governing body should be above that; his consideration of the idea (not his) of expanding the World Cup to 64, destroying qualifying for a start, let alone the obvious voting appeal an expansion would mean for him; and the accelerating commercialisation of the game through hydration breaks.

I'm more concerned about the scandalous price of World Cup tickets (only partly a FIFA issue); the fact that Infantino makes things about him, and his love of being with rich, famous and powerful people, when really everything at FIFA should revolve around the good of the game. It's almost comical his swooning around wealth and power.

So, no, I wouldn't put white shoes as his worst behaviour. I’m more frustrated for the good people working hard at FIFA, doing incredible work in countries and communities around the world, and seeing the organisation they represent with such pride and industry be associated with a president who’s lost sight of the heart and soul of football.

Infantino may well be a decent guy, far removed from the mockery online. I don't know. But I do know that he needs to re-find the respected young lawyer he once was at UEFA. He's changed. That maybe him or FIFA culture.

Infantino should remember that FIFA is a sporting institution, not a political one. He should remember that FIFA should be all about the game, not about him. It's been a great World Cup overshadowed at times by wretched decisions and own goals of Infantino's making or shaping. Do better.

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@Karalia101 airbrushed out of all the shots afterwards 🤣

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

Thank God it’s over. Congratulations Spain, by far the best team but everything about that final was abysmal - FIFA total embarrassment 🤡

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@itspolecatime Respectfully disagree..the ‘hydration’ ad breaks killed the flow of the game, reffing was poor, politics ludicrous. These outweighed the great hosting provided by Mexico and Canada and to a degree USA. We don’t need the theatrics, the sport should be allowed to provide the drama

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@richardallinson Even Animal couldn’t save it ;-) great job last week btw

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@the_davidhicks And it was 2-0

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@kevp88 Amen

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

Rooney - MOTM 🤣👏🏼

[Paddy Power @paddypower]

"I thought it was crap"

Wayne Rooney - a man of the people.

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@paddypower Well it got a lot worse!

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

♥️♥️♥️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 yes Stourbridge

[England @England]

JUDE BELLINGHAM THAT IS OUTSTANDING! 🔥

IT'S 6-4 TO ENGLAND! 😳

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

And @BellinghamJude 👏🏼🥹

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

Yes @BukayoSaka87 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@c_r_5 @England 🙈

[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@paulberry2303 Saka’s going to win the golden boot 🤣🤣🤣

[Wolves Women FC @WolvesWomen]

Introducing the Wolves Women Fixture and Sponsorship Breakfast! 🚨

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[Suzi Perry @suziperry]

@paulberry2303 Except that was well written and witty ;-)

[Mat Gallagher @matgallagher]

I spoke to @suziperry and @JasonBradbury on @TheGadgetShow Podcast about the winners of this year’s T3 Awards https://t.co/UJIeRGm2JO