And the answer is!
Shakira and Burna Boy take the stage! While the official anthem doesn’t quite match the iconic 2010 classic, it still delivers a solid vibe. Burna’s voice evokes the rich grooves and textures reminiscent of vinyl records compared to CDs.
“My dad went out and bought a colour telly for the first World Cup I can remember, which was 1974,” Matt Emerson reminisces. “That West German summer was relentlessly overcast and grey in my memory, so we needn’t have bothered, but I was hooked. This will be my f14th and it’s just as good, despite the ongoing attempts to screw things up generally. You measure your life out by World Cups and I reckon I’ve got seven more left after this one, so I’m going to enjoy it.”
As technology advances, the notion of living beyond 300 seems plausible, ensuring plenty more World Cups ahead!
It would be helpful if the event provided some context for the performances, but for now, it’s all about the spectacle—no captions or commentary. A performer in a leather tracksuit takes the stage, and the atmosphere is electric as mariachi music fills the air.
“Watched the 1966 World Cup on TV and then as one of a group of four apprentices we all decided to save £2 per week from our wages and go and watch us retain the Jules Rimet in Mexico in 1970. Time went by, weddings happened and then there were two who headed off, the week after my 21st birthday, travelling on a trip organised by the England Football Supporters Association. Tickets to all the matches plus tickets to the final. I got to watch living football legends, and was sitting directly behind the goal when Banksy saved Pele’s shot. The Azteca was a disappointment in that our seats were so far up in the Gods that you couldn’t really make out the intricacies of the game. Great memories, hope that there’s some more made for the supporters over there.” Kev Dwyer admits. “We are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride,”
“The home stadium advantage for Mexico has been duly noted but until you experience it you can’t fully appreciate it,” proclaims the lead voice—a sentiment that resonates deeply.
“Yes, the heat and altitude is oppressive. But it is the fans that make it so intimidating. Knowledgable, vicious, non-stop support and refs often swayed by the crowd.” Mary Waltz emphasizes. “That ITV studio is spectacular,”
I sincerely hope those passionate fans can afford to attend. And now, the excitement builds with drums beating, voices soaring, and dancers in formation.
Aha, the opening ceremony is about to commence. We’re at the Azteca, folks!
I previously mentioned my first World Cup, so feel free to share your memories. Mine was Mexico 86—can you believe there have been three World Cups there since England last hosted? My main takeaway now, as an adult, is how Diego Maradona offered me a skewed view of football. For years, I thought it was feasible for someone to navigate past every player between them and the goal, but that was just his unique magic.
“Almost as spectacular as the nark-off between Roy Keane and anyone else. The BBC is going to have The Ghost Of Barry Davies coming out of the Manchester Ship Canal to compete.” observes Kev the Poet. “Here in the States, the pre-game crew includes, as ever, Alexi Lalas, but also has a new addition of Zlatan for this tournament,”
Indeed, it’s an outdoor setup along the Hudson, boasting a spectacular view of Manhattan. But I would gladly take Barry Davies emerging from anywhere.
I almost succeeded in playing this at my wedding.
“If the approximately 10 seconds of interaction I just saw is any indication, the odds are high that Zlatan just might kill Lalas with his bare hands before the tournament is over. A chemistry void for the ages. It’s going to be a fun six weeks.” notes Mac Scarles. “Football used to be seen as the opiate of the masses, with many stories from previous World Cups of ceasefires declared to watch games, birthrates soaring 9 months after victories … etc. However, this one feels more like a methadone clinic, with thin rations stretched out over a longer time frame, and with the dealer going uptown where he’ll find wealthier marks. Sure we’ll all watch on TV because we love the game. But more and more people who actually once participated in the game at any level are coming to the realisation that Fifa’s product is poisoned by politics and by greed, and Infantino and co have shut the gates on us.”
Goodness, I wonder if it’s even possible to grasp football culture, spirit, and soul less than Lalas does. Best of luck, Zlatan!
And the first email of the competition goes to… Justin Kavanagh. “Things that always litter a pre-tournament buildup,”
It’s remarkable how much it takes to make Sepp Blatter appear as the liberator, isn’t it? I wish I had something witty and reassuring to offer, but I don’t; we must strive to challenge wrongs within our own circles.
Almost immediately, ITV dives into the political aspect—“Things that always accompany a pre-tournament buildup,” Neville states. Do they? He continues, saying that football will take the spotlight, yet Ian Wright, Roy Keane, and Mark Pougatch ensure we don’t overlook the ongoing issues.
My, the first montage of the tournament, showcasing past tournaments, has left me quite emotional—there’s much to absorb, and that’s even before I comment on Gary Neville’s shirt, fresh from River Island circa 1995.
Watching from the UK, it’s time for ITV’s credits, and if you haven’t seen them, they are stunning, shot on film and lush.
Quiz time: can you name that tune?
Ahhhh! Ding! Ding ding ding ding! Neow! Ding ding ding ding! Ta bam bam bam bam bam bam!
De ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne. De ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne. De ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne, ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne!
What a sensation! Thirty-nine days, 104 matches, and the ultimate joy known to humanity—a thrilling, uplifting, immersive, challenging, enriching, and educational celebration of magnificent football. Soak it in, everyone!
Just be cautious not to choke. Despite thinking that after Russia and Qatar, World Cups—or should it be Worlds Cup, as we tackle all the important issues here—couldn’t become more contentious, here we are.
The list of troubling issues is too extensive to outline in this introduction, but prior to the football-induced euphoria that may numb us into compliance, we must honor our commitment to joy—not just through complaints, but perhaps by taking small actions to counteract the forces that exploit us and our beautiful game. Being kind and tolerant, or donating to a charity supporting migrants or refugees—our options are plentiful.
How we transition back to the sport remains a bit unclear, but such is the complexity of life, with the game often a victim of its own brilliance, simply too wonderful and unifying to escape exploitation by unscrupulous entities and indifferent executives. So, let’s delve into that; seamless, right?
We will begin with the spectacle and humor of our inaugural opening ceremony—USA is also hosting one—allowing those of us who remember 1970 and 1986 to shed tears at the sight of Estadio Azteca. It’s essential to recognize that for millions of children worldwide, this represents their first tournament; it’s their initial experience of football’s excitement. While those of us beyond that age can’t recapture our unique moments, staying up late and sneaking peeks at matches, the wonder is something we now appreciate more as adults than we ever did as children.
So much has transpired since then, and the passage of time has narrowed our vision and dulled our senses. Yet, if we take a moment to reflect, we find that sense of wonder still resides within us, ever-present. These are the days of our lives, and this is the spirit we can infuse into everything we do if we allow ourselves.
As we move to our opening match, it promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams seeking to attack but employing different strategies: Mexico aims to dominate the midfield while South Africa looks to exploit the wings. Keep an eye on Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old midfielder for Mexico—he’s the youngest player in the tournament and possesses immense talent. But really, keep your eyes peeled for absolutely everything. It’s finally here!
Opening ceremony: 11:30 AM local, 1:30 PM EDT, 6:30 PM BST, 3:30 AM (Fri) AEST
Kick-off: 1:00 PM local, 3:00 PM EDT, 8:00 PM BST, 5:00 AM (Fri) AEST
