Which is why I can be excused for thinking that four countries of G20 had left the grouping to form the ‘Group of 16’ stage in the World Cup. Given how political the tournament in Qatar has turned out to be, I may not be too off the mark. More about this in a bit.
Now that we’ve established that I’m as far from being a football fan as possible, you can imagine that the World Cup will be anything but exhilarating for me. Edifying, though, it has been. So, what have I learnt from this World Cup?
The World Cup is upon us, that too
It is being hosted by Qatar. When British comic Joe Lycett released a video asking David Beckham – famous for being husband of Posh Spice of the Spice Girls – to step down as the Qatar’s World Cup brand ambassador owing to the country’s human rights record, especially its stand on homosexuality (it’s illegal) there, one more paisa dropped.
My social calendar has been freed up as a result of everyone wanting to take an afternoon nap to catch the 12.30 a.m. matches.
This has truly been the worst of times. But there’s always a silver lining for which I can thank the World Cup, especially it being held in Qatar. I’ve realised how the month-long tournament is, with sports as a ploy of sorts, providing an opportunity for everyone to suddenly air their geopolitical views. While people may be shouting ‘Modric‘, ‘Messi‘, Mbappe, anyone watching the matches is also getting a crash course in current affairs.
And then, the sudden knowledge about Qatar. Apart from confirming that homosexuality and alcohol are to Qatar what homicide and beef is to India, and that thousands of expatriate workers – many, if not most, who are Indian – died while building stadiums and hotels to for the crowds which would descend this winter, I now know the Qatari national anthem (‘As-Salam al-Amiri,’ Peace to the Emir), its per capita GDP ($82,877), its international phone code (+974), and that this is the state that owns Al Jazeera when I need some calm news-viewing.
Divine intervention may have led Qatar to lose against Ecuador in the first game of the World Cup. But at least it proved that the World Cup matches aren’t fixed, no matter what you think about EVMs in India.
Lucky Dhillon from Punjabi Bagh, who was downing beers by the dozen while watching the Morocco-Spain match last Tuesday and had only one worry – whether there was enough beer at home – suddenly learnt that there’s a country called Palestine when the victorious Morocco team celebrated by displaying the Palestinian flag. He also learnt that there’s something called a ‘OneLove‘ armband, which has no relation to the friendship band that Lovely gave him last week.
People have also got a crash course in civic behaviour, thanks to Japanese spectators and players diligently cleaning up the stands and dressing rooms, respectively, after each match. (Qatar outdoors being Qatar outdoors, though, no Swachh Qatar mission is needed.) Few moments were as inspiring as the Iran team refusing to sing their national anthem to show support for the protest movement back home. With them out of the World Cup after losing to the Evil Empire – the US-of-A – in the group stage on November 30, I wonder how the players are faring back in Iran.
So, net-net, goalpost-goalpost, the World Cup has actually been quite an edifying experience. I now know the names of five more players other than Messi and Ronaldo. I’d say we should raise a drink in appreciation — if you’re not in Qatar now, that is.