I’m pulling for the underdogs.
In spite of FIFA’s shameless money-grubbing, and Fox Sports’ slavishly jingoistic coverage, I’m enjoying the group stage of the World Cup. Though they do their utmost, the moneyed interests that drive international Futbol can’t completely desecrate the people’s game. There’s still passion and drama, wildly enthusiastic fans, and the spirit of the teams, particularly those who wouldn’t be in the competition were it not for the extended format. While expanding the tournament from 32 to 48 teams was a revenue-expanding decision on the part of FIFA, it has produced intriguing results on the pitch.
Iran has impressed with its resolute spirit, despite being subject to horrible treatment by the American hosts. Unlike every other team, the Iranian team isn’t allowed to set up a base camp on US soil. Tijuana, Mexico, just across the border, is where Iran stays and must return immediately after its matches in the US conclude. This punishment is exhausting, petty, unnecessary and humiliating, everything we’ve come to expect from Trump’s fantasy Regime, an insult to the Iranian team and its supporters. But credit to the Iranian team, it has acquitted itself with pride, earning points against New Zealand and Belgium. If Iran manages to defeat Egypt in the final group match, it will advance to the next round, which would stand not only as a significant achievement for the team but serve as a rigid middle-finger to the racist Trump Regime. They’ll need some fortune to fall their way, but it could happen. Futbol often produces unpredictable outcomes.
I wonder why the football associations and managers haven’t spoken up on Iran’s behalf. One Fox broadcaster made an oblique reference to Iran’s logistical dilemma, but that was it. I suspect the answer to the collective silence lies with Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s head honcho. Infantino has been kissing Donald Trump’s ample behind for the past year, even going so far as awarding Trump a phony FIFA peace prize, and I’d bet Infantino dropped some not-too-subtle hints about protesting Iran’s shabby treatment. Something along the line of, it would be a shame if an association forfeited its share of World Cup proceeds for making noise about Iran.
After watching 50-60 matches a year for nearly two decades, English Premier League, Italian Serie A, domestic cup matches, and the Champions League tournament, I think I know a solid team when I see one, which is why I’m not jumping on Team USA’s bandwagon. I admire Mauricio Pochettino, the US manager, former manager of Chelsea, my Premier League club. Poch fell out with the Chelsea owners after a single season and left for greener pastures. After the US defeated Paraguay, ranked 41st in the world, and Australia, ranked 27th, and won Group D, the hype machine went into overdrive. The talking heads on Fox Sports couldn’t stop yammering about the US and its red hot start. Call me unconvinced. The US is ranked 17th in the world for a reason. Yes, it has some capable players beyond media-darling Christian Pulisic, most notably Weston McKennie who plays his club football at Juventus in Italy, but the US isn’t in the same tier with Argentina, France, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, England or Morocco. Either from delusion or by direction from the C Suite, the Fox yakkers act like the US is suddenly favored to run the table, make the Final and pull off a red, white and blue miracle. I admit it’s possible, but it’s very unlikely; when the Americans meet a substantial opponent they’ll likely crash out.
In the meantime, I’m pulling for the underdogs, hoping they will earn one more day on the big stage.
