The World Cup
INTRODUCTION
With the Soccer World Cup having concluded just a few weeks ago, I decided to look back at the four world cups that stand out in my memory.
This post is akin to my Indiana Jones post. In other words, recollections.
I think it is important to establish early on in my website that my posts won't always be analytical or involve research. Sometimes, they'll just be a bunch of thoughts.
ITALIA '90
Italia '90 was the World Cup that birthed in me a love of soccer.
I enjoyed drawing the mascot, Ciao, although I always had mixed feelings about him having a soccer ball for a head.
I was just a kid back then and although I'd played soccer in Junior Primary School, in P.E. and once for the school team, at that point I only liked chess and tennis, and playing Rummy and draughts with my gran.
Coke released what was back then extra-long cans, and I collected all of them, save for one of the South American teams. My parents and I never managed to get our hands on that elusive can, but the others remained on a wooden shelf above my ZX Spectrum desk for years.
As did Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker posters on the wall.
The cans were eventually replaced with the cartridges of a console (5000 games in 1) and the posters with a gift from my mother - an amusing wood-backed drawing of an embarrassed office worker who's just finished smashing his computer monitor, headed with It's always the computer's fault. But I'll always remember how Italia '90 kindled in me an endless love of the Soccer World Cup.
SOUTH AFRICA 2010
On my birthday that year, I received an email from a good friend who had been the best man at my wedding. He wished me and told me that he had bought us tickets to see a Round of 16 match at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
When the time came, it turned out to be Slovakia versus The Netherlands.
I dressed far too warmly and held a lingering sweat throughout the day, as well as waited too long to snap a photo for a group of Dutch supporters, who must now tell their children how overly attentive 'that stupid South African guy' was.
The beachfront paving in front of Suncoast Casino heralded a Dutch guy dressed like it were the 1700s, and he didn't mind kids giggling at him as he took photos with families and the women of the Rainbow Nation; while outside the stadium, a doomsdayer told everyone the end was near and that the world cup was an idol, before trying to bum money off locals and tourists alike.
Perhaps he is still there.
Despite the match having three goals, it was average, and the fans in our section of the stadium seemed to cheer more when an inflated condom came floating down towards us every fifteen minutes or so than for the players.
Even my friend's dad, who was very religious, remarked, "Can't be easy blowing one of those up."
However, that part of Durban always reminds me of the rare times my father told me he went semi-pro for a year. Used chiefly as a substitute for Durban United, he eventually returned to amateur soccer, but had fond memories of training on those outer fields, which are still there.
He and I hardly got along, but I don't mind that memory, interested in KZN's history, particularly in adulthood.
As a sidenote, if you're a fan of Invictus, Kings Park, the stadium where it rains towards the end of the movie, is just across the road from Moses Mabhida.
QATAR 2022
My wife has the habit of falling asleep as a game approaches. Sometimes I don't blame her. Studio analyst: "If the man kicks the ball he might score."
Those lengthy studio discussions, all of which sound the same, are enough to cause a countrywide scene akin to Flash Forward.
However, if I ply her with snacks, which get finished before kick-off despite variety or abundance, she remains awake. To her credit, she left me three Simba chips that night, and stayed wide awake throughout the final.
I wanted France to win. I had followed them through the latter half of the tournament, and am in part of French descent.
My wife wanted Argentina to win. She thought Messi was a good player and a nice guy. Also, because the stripes of their kit were 'a lovely blue'.
Possible silence.
Although, I agree entirely. That's a good-looking kit.
My stock joke back then was: "Even though he's moving on in age, he's still good, if a bit messy."
Definite sounds of crickets.
Three goals by Mbappe and a penalty in the shootout. Extra time. Back and forth. Merry Christmas.
The most exciting World Cup Final in history.
My wife and I hugged after the match and if she ever passes away before me one day, I will always remember that very happy night.
CANADA, MEXICO, UNITED STATES 2026
This year's tournament was thoroughly entertaining. Even the minnows and underdogs left us with memories. The third-place play-off alone between England and France was awkward, unusual, enjoyable, and high scoring.
My wife and I were both for Spain in the final.
No red cards in the tournament. They focused on their precise passing and just got on with their games.
In contrast, Argentina were uncouth ruffians throughout the six weeks.
Cabo Verde or Egypt could have beaten them.
And England would have beaten a ten-man Argentina if a red card had been given to Fernandez for tripping and punching Anderson just three minutes into the semi-final.
The conspiracy theorists predicted a France-Portugal or France-Mexico final. Now, while they were wrong, FIFA obviously wanted Argentina to reach the final.
Referees turning a blind eye. VAR not seeing incidents the cameramen and spectators and global audiences all saw.
I remember footage showing how happy FIFA delegates were in the crowd after Argentina beat Cabo Verde. Now, of course, one can show emotion, but so much for neutrality.
There's not much I can add to your own opinion of Argentina's disgusting behaviour during and after the final, save to say I'm surprised the ref wasn't harmed too.
CAIRO
Our papillon, Cairo, made us laugh. When Post Malone and Swae Lee sang Sunflower before the game, my wife and I, having not heard it in ages, sang along. Cairo suddenly jumped off the couch and started running around the house, picked up a toy, wanted snacks from us.
But then when Madonna came on for the half-time show, he stared at the TV and said – South Park end credits play.