In team football the level is nowhere near as high as in club football, because the teams that meet for a few days don’t have time to blend together, but the coaches are like alchemists who have to try to obtain gold from limestone . .
As a rule, this is far from ideal, because the team spirit is more raw and pragmatic. However, it is played under the flag of the country of origin, which creates unique sensations for both the athletes and the public. This was clearly demonstrated by the World Cup title won by the Argentine team last year, which was the only chance to provide peace of mind to the global congregation of Lionel Messi.
In club football, in the absence of a fit player, there may be delays in the transfer market, but in national team football, limited selection conditions must be maintained. Furthermore, the situation is tense knowing that in case of failure, the next opportunity will open only after four years. In club football, awards are given annually.
Thus, despite the turmoil of the top clubs, national football continues to be a much-loved phenomenon, whose vitality remains high because the players still care a lot about it.
* * *
Women’s football is the fastest growing sport in the world. They put (huge) resources there because they see huge potential and are afraid of falling behind the best. The evolutionary theory of sport states that the earlier the development phase, the greater the steps to be taken. In more mature sports, finding important margins already requires more effort and they are no longer so decisive.
However, women’s football is currently in the race to establish models and benchmarks. Of the eight World Cup titles played before this year, four were won by the United States, two by Germany and one each by Norway and Japan. Their place in history is certain, regardless of what happens next. Just like Uruguay in men’s football.
But there are plenty of countries hungry for historic recognition in women’s football. Unlike men’s football, Canada and Australia can compete there in the biggest game, the pride of England and France demanding the highest goals from both, with each failure significantly more painful than the last. Because how is it possible that they can and we can’t?
In 10 years, the Women’s World Cup title has become a trophy many times more desirable than before, and the sporting level and public interest have grown hand in hand, reaching in Western countries a level for which it will soon not be It is no longer necessary to pay for women’s football with what is earned from men’s football, but financial independence will be achieved, which will expand the possibilities of leading one’s own sport.
Own money guarantees greater decision-making freedom, makes the sector more attractive, increases professionalism and professional pride. The ninth Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand contained risks that, if realized, would have slowed the development of the sport.
Chief among these risks was whether the leading countries, namely Europe and North America, will get excited about the Women’s World Cup even if it is played on the other side of the world and in an inconvenient time zone. The television stations of the large European countries were skeptical and were not willing to pay the sums requested by FIFA for the television rights.
Gianni Infantino accused the big European football countries of underestimating women’s football, but obviously the broadcasters were not willing to buy the pig in a bag. Eventually a compromise was reached, under which FIFA had to make significantly greater concessions, which put the object up for sale with a questionable value.
Inevitably one is reminded of former FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke’s evergreen statement that “from the point of view of organizing the World Cup, less democracy is good for the cause.” If it had been necessary to receive a larger sum for TV rights from Qatar or Saudi Arabia, the Emir’s order would have been enough. In Europe, however, this damned democracy is standing in every way!
* * *
From there, you can seamlessly move on to the most compelling football event of 2023, which was Infantino’s masterful combination that will see the men’s World Cup final in 2034 return to the same level as last year, perhaps in the Gulf oil nations Perch.
To celebrate the centenary of the 2030 World Cup in Uruguay and neighboring countries, the place where it all began in 1930. The 2034 World Cup in Spain and Portugal, the two polite European countries that breathe and eat football. And the 2038 World Cup in Australia will bring the world’s biggest sporting event to an extremely sports-loving country.
It would have been a beautiful scenario for which there was substantial agreement and availability on the part of all the countries mentioned. All these organizers would ensure that the importance of the World Cup as an event was not exploited for unethical sport laundering purposes. But the influence of Western countries in international football is not enough to guarantee this.
Infantino developed a plan that left no other substantial option in the air other than giving the right to organize the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, which wanted it very much. This is the reality of power lines in international football, which unfortunately those who disagree with them have very little to do with.
* * *
The most important events next summer for the national teams are the final phase of the EC and the Copa America. After the corresponding step of Europe, Asia and Africa also began to hold their final tournaments with the participation of 24 teams, but unlike Europe, this step significantly affects the level of sport, significantly worsening it.
However, Europe manages the competition well with 24 teams. The 2016 and 2021 European Championships demonstrated that there is quality on our continent. If the final round of last year’s European tournament failed to create an authentic festival atmosphere due to distraction, this probably won’t be an issue in Germany in the new year.
As Estonian fans understood and learned from the draws, the demand for tickets is exceptionally high. This is also confirmed by UEFA reports. Football fans are thirsty for a European football celebration and want to take part directly on site. Safety is a concern, as is the case with all major (sports) events, but otherwise you can expect a super intense jalkafestival with everything that goes with it!
The Copa America has been canceled (probably forever) because once again it will not take place in South America, but in the United States and will feature North American teams. Closer ties with the wealthy United States make economic sense for South American football, but inevitably mean a return to originality.
The principle agreed in the 2000s regarding the Copa America, which provides for rotation between the 10 South American countries in alphabetical order, can today be considered lapsed because there have been too many exceptions. And the tournament itself and the expectations for the standard offered are so high that some South American countries are unable to organize it (on their own).
RELATED STORIES
2023-12-26 14:06:03
national-football-team-2023-world-cup-saudi-arabia-has-proven-that-the-power-belongs-to-them-soccernet-ee
#National #football #team #World #Cup #Saudi #Arabia #proven #power #belongs #Soccernet.ee