Why you aren't watching the world cup

[Morrus]

Since the World Cup has begun I figured we could use a thread to talk about it and why we all want England to win.

(Apparently this thread is the thread where you talk about why you aren't watching the World Cup, so I've changed the title and bowed out and I’ve started a separate thread to talk about the World Cup here.)

 

[Dioltach]

I live in the Netherlands. Practically the only person I know who's shown any interest in it at all is my wife, because she's from Curacao. She and a bunch of her friends - none of whom care about football - are having a party on Sunday to watch their island play Germany.

 

[Marc Radle]

I’m excited!

 

[Mannahnin]

I don't regularly follow it, but over the years have had a good time watching a few times. Two of those being at the Wellington pub at Waterloo station in London in 2006, one England game and another with Trinidad and Tobago, which had qualified for the first time and everyone was cheering on as plucky underdogs. The vibes were excellent watching the games in that setting, with cheering and singing and merry-making.

This year I have plans for a couple of watch parties at a small local 300-400 person capacity theater space- on Juneteenth for the USA vs Australia, and on July 19th to watch the final game.

 

[Tonguez]

Unfortunately with the corruption in FIFA and the 'host' country Im boycotting it

But good luck

 

[Kaodi]

Unfortunately with the corruption in FIFA and the 'host' country Im boycotting it

But good luck

Technically there are three host countries, and one of them, mine, finally scored out first ever Men's World Cup point - right at home in Toronto!

 

[Thierry-Advent]

I'm glad Quebec refused to participate, after learning how greedy FIFA is. Many in Toronto are upset after learning what their province and city signed for.

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Craig Calcaterra talked about this a little bit in his newsletter today, and he quoted yesterday's Athletic article on it, which was bananas:

During a get-to-know-you meeting held at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, a senior FIFA executive set out the core principles of the hosting agreements between soccer’s global governing body and the prospective host cities. The gist of it was this: FIFA takes the vast majority of the revenue from World Cup ticketing, media rights, sponsorship, concessions and parking, while cities are responsible for costs related to transportation, safety and security, extending beyond the stadium to FIFA Fan Fest locations, airports and even vehicles used in the competition.

At one point, Kathryn Schloessman, CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, raised her hand and asked a question, according to others who were present. It went something like this: “So, what exactly do we get out of this?”

The FIFA executive replied: “Hosting this tournament will put your city on the map.”

It's like they're cartoon villains reading dialogue from mid-20th century boy's fiction about railroad tycoons.

I'm pretty ambivalent about international football (I think it's generally less interesting football than club football most of the time, which makes sense given how frequently the international sides play together), and I don't usually watch the group stages of tournaments. But my wife's out of town for a week or so, so I expect I'll catch some group stage games over the next few weeks. I do wonder if the bigger field will provide for something like Greece in Euro 2004.

 

[Nikosandros]

Yes, FIFA is terrible and the World Cup should be boycotted.

Italy really took a moral stance. Full boycott, no compromises.

Third time in a row.

FIFA was begging us: "Come on, twice was enough, come back, please!" But we said nope.

Still boycotting.

 

[Clint_L]

I guess I'm supposed to be excited and root for Canada, but the whole thing is so corrupt.

Women's soccer is a much better time. Or women's rugby.

Women's anything, really. Less money, more sportspersonship.