sports
Power and glory: World Cup promises a spectacle impossible to ignore
Ten years in the making, the greatest show on earth is set for a six-week sprint through Trump’s America
TL;DR
- The 2026 World Cup will be the largest event ever staged, spanning 16 host cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada over 39 days.
- The tournament is estimated to generate $80 billion in global economic output.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino's leadership is characterized as a 'one-man deal with the devil,' leveraging cash flow to solidify his position.
- The event signifies a departure from football as the 'people's game' towards a commercialized spectacle.
- Despite criticisms and a call for boycotts, the article advocates for independent media coverage to highlight flaws and provide dissent.
- Potential winners include France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and Argentina, with Morocco and Norway mentioned as potential surprises.
- England is considered a strong contender, with a talented squad and an elite overseas manager.
- The tournament's tempo and conditions might suit England's strengths.
- The World Cup also serves as a lens to examine America's current state and its global standing.
- The allure of the spectacle and its operatic cast of characters, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, ensures it will be watched.