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.
@BreatheJannikS@sozirv Hahahaha WORLD CHAMPIONS in being hooligans and backed by FIFA. Used to respect them this was just useless, look at the stats 🫣!
Filip Dagerstål förlänger – ”Det känns riktigt kul!”
”Vi har en fantastisk grupp, som jag verkligen är glad över att få vara en del av. Vi håller på att bygga något nytt tillsammans i IFK Norrköping”
Läs mer på https://t.co/F2iAbxNcHj