The World Cup is one of the best ways to look into another culture and unite with other people. It is a very unique tournament, that gives a glimpse into other cultures. Not only does it open the host country up to the rest of the world, it also gives you a very small window into other countries and regions. The way a team plays can be a good way to see how a culture works, and what some of the issues are for those places.
The Latin Post has a really good article on why the World Cup can bring people together by, Edwin Molina. “The World Cup has a way of bringing people together, bonded by a common goal of goals, family, friendships, and patriotism that is unique to the international soccer tournament. It is not like the Olympics, where people pretend to know curling or gymnastics, never being engaged in the sports except on that given week.” Says Edwin. The World Cup and Football/Soccer is a common language amongst people all over the world. It has its own form of communication that everyone know and understands.
The Conversation has a pretty good article on the cultural and political issues and solutions that come from the World Cup. “Cultural and political legacies of the World Cup: where to now?” by Ramon Spaaij and Jorge Knijnik looks into the World Cup hosted by Brazil. The first part of the article is about public opinion about the World Cup and its political ramifications. Despite the protest before the tournament started it never amounted to anything. Once it started the country sat back and watched the rest of the world drool over the beautiful game with them. Even their countries humiliating outing in the World Cup, which came with much sadness and heartbreak didn’t change their opinions on the World Cup. What people thought was going to be a mess turned out to be well organized and planned out, “Overall, however, the World Cup’s organization was successful by any measure. Some European commentators and academics have even said that the event was better organized than the 2012 London Olympics.” They say. As for their upcoming election which many thought the current president would lose were wrong. She got reelected.
Another resource I gathered was, “Brazil's Dance with the Devil: The World Cup, the Olympics, and the Fight for Democracy” by Dave Zirin is a good look into the balancing act of hosting these events. In one of the opening pages it has a quote from former Brazil captain Socrates, “Victory is secondary. What matters is joy.” I love this cause during Brazil’s outing I think the people looked back on what had already happened and it was nothing but joy. But there are some things that to some hurt. For instance the Maracana, Brazil’s premier stadium. It once held 150,000 people and once got 200,000 people crammed inside it for a game. But over time the Brazilian government and owners of the club started to cut the stadiums size down. It now resides at 75,000. What once was home to all walks of life was cut to only those who could afford tickets. The once practically free nosebleed seats were gone. And for many this is a symbolic way of capitalism destroying the game they love.
The World Cup is also very interesting based on the way the teams on the field play. For instance, the Germans on the field are systematic, efficient and direct. Much like a machine, everyone has a common goal, and mind set that is unstoppable. Germany the nation is much like its national team. They have a very systematic economy with an active population in the work force and financial areas of working. Then you got a place like Brazil, a team that is flashy, delicate, and exciting. The Brazilian people very much reflect the national team. They have a vibrant, colorful culture. That is exciting and can be prosperous. But it is also very delicate economically. In Africa there are many amazing players, but for most nations like the Ivory Coast its hard for them to communicate. There are so many dialects that communication is hard. It shows on the field, but amongst all that they still have moments of brilliance. This nation is very much like it national team, beautifully disorganized. Lastly France. The national team is widely diverse. Much like the Country. The nations win in the 1998 World Cup made major strides with its issues with racism. But after the 2006 World Cup the National team fell apart along with the major strides against racism. But after this last World Cup it seems that the diverse nation might be making more progress to ending racism in its country.
The World Cup is a fun place for fans to be and show off their culture in unique and colorful ways the following gifs show just how interesting the crowd can be.
Now the World Cup isn't perfect. And the biggest example of why its not is the situation with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The moment Qatar was awarded it everyone new something fishy was going on. In recent weeks FIFA officials have been caught taking bribes from Qatari people. In a Fancred(http://fancred.com/#) post I made several days ago I had this to say, "I could care less about the bribes and all the under the table deals that happened with Qatar, I can deal with that. But when they have all this money that they spilled all over FIFA officials for the World Cup, and not put any of that money to giving workers who are not from their country who are getting paid the bare minimum to build something that will never ever be used, without the right equipment, without proper living conditions, and complete disregard for human rights..." The death toll for the Qatar World Cup is ridiculous and that alone should be enough to strip it from Qatar.
In conclusion the World Cup is good. It connects you to culture in a unique way that is inclusive and friendly. It is more than just a game, but it is about the people. Nations live and breathe the game, and the World Cup is the unifying gel that connects bitter rivals, and good friends together for the love of the game. You don't get this type of stuff in the political sphere because its exclusive, you don't get this in the business sphere because its exclusive, but the World Cup is for everyone and that's why it is so loved by the world. Even with its faults it unites people for a common cause, like stopping the inhumane acts that Qatar are committing. There's a reason people call it the "Beautiful Game" and that's why the World Cup is special on the field and off the field. It connects the world together for the love of the game, and for the love of their nation. Its a place people can show their patriotism to their country and share their culture in a small dose to the world.
Cited Sources:
Molina, Edwin. "World Cup 2014: World Cup Tournament Brings Together People of All Cultures [Watch]." Latin Post RSS. Latin Post, 14 July 2014. Web. 8 May 2015. .
"World War Truce: Britain vs. Germany Christmas Football Match | Fox Sports Rise As One Series." YouTube. YouTube, 24 June 2014. Web. 8 June 2015.
"After The Plane Crash, Zambia Football Plays On | Fox Sports Rise As One Series." YouTube. YouTube, 21 June 2014. Web. 8 June 2015.
"Breaking Barriers: USA vs. Iran, 1998 World Cup | Fox Sports Rise As One Series." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 22 May 2015.
"Chile Team World Cup 2014 - Miners Propaganda (English)." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 22 May 2015.
Zirin, Dave. Brazil's Dance with the Devil: The World Cup, the Olympics, and the Fight for Democracy. Chicago: Haymarket, 2014. Print.
Knijnik, Jorge, and Ramon Spaaij. "Cultural and Political Legacies of the World Cup: Where to Now?" The Conversation. Web. 8 May 2015. .
Molina, Edwin. "World Cup 2014: World Cup Tournament Brings Together People of All Cultures [Watch]." Latin Post RSS. Latin Post, 14 July 2014. Web. 8 May 2015. .
