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Today, at least, we’ll get to put his theory to the test. That’s right: 12 years after the World Cup was awarded to Qatar in a decision that left even David Beckham lost for words, the day is finally here and it looks like we’re actually going through with it.
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“Focus on the football” is another favourite Infantino directive. We can do a bit of that this afternoon, when the hosts face Ecuador at the gleaming new Al Bayt Stadium. And if the prospect of the planet’s 44th and 50th best international sides locking horns wasn’t enough for you, there’ll be a lavish opening ceremony beforehand featuring K-pop superstar Jeon Jungkook and nay-pop superstars the Black Eyed Peas.
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But before then we will have an uninterrupted stream of news, previews, buildup, correspondence, interviews, debates, squabbles, quibbles, protestations, trivia, reminiscences, hopes, dreams and regrets from this strangest of World Cups … plus a bit of football, too. Got any of the above? Please send them through via email.
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So kick back, crack open a Bud Zero, and stay tuned for live updates from day one of Qatar 2022.
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Key events
The first signs of fallout of Infantino’s speech come from the Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford. Here is what he has to say:
I had two thoughts when I heard these comments. First of all, I think it’s important to be ready to review our own history. Wales is an outward-looking and inclusive nation, where people’s rights really matter to us. But it wasn’t always like that. In our own history, we have had times when things we have done, including things we have done in other parts of the world, have not lived up to the beliefs and standards we hold ourselves to. today. So taking a moment to reflect on our own stories is not wasted time.
The second thought I had while listening to what was said was to remember Healy’s First Law of Holes. Some will remember Denis Healey, the great Labor politician. And his first law of holes was when you’re in one, stop digging.
(via Reuters)
In case you missed it last night – Karim Benzema becomes an automatic choice for the World Cup injured XI. In fact, N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba would also be in this team – poor old France. Fortunately, they still have the beloved Mbappe-Giroud partnership up front. Fraternity!
Fun fact: Raheem Sterling made his England debut alongside Leon Osman, Steven Caulker and Carl Jenkinson. Ten years on, he’s a senior fixture in the team, battling young upstarts for a place in Southgate’s XI. He’s not in good form but I’ll still have him in the side tomorrow ahead of Grealish and Rashford. You?
A few pointed out that Gianni’s speech yesterday bore a striking resemblance to one given by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017. Great minds?
As a New Yorker, I am Muslim. I am Jewish. I’m black. I’m gay. I am a woman who seeks to control her body. We are a New York. pic.twitter.com/peOL9x2ltl
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 29, 2017
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As a New Yorker, I am Muslim. I am Jewish. I’m black. I’m gay. I am a woman who seeks to control her body. We are a New York. pic.twitter.com/peOL9x2ltl
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 29, 2017
Managing Brazil in the World Cup – the hardest job in football? Fortunately, their current boss seems to have a healthy outlook. “Whether we win or not, I want to be at peace,” says Tite. “At peace with myself. It is my great desire.
Something tells me that sense of inner peace might be much easier to find from the champions podium on December 18. Read the full interview here:
Wales World Cup starts tomorrow night. Here, former winger Terry Medwin recalls the country’s first – and last – appearance at the tournament, when they were knocked out by a 17-year-old stranger called Pelé:
Now. That Infantino speech, huh? “Today I feel Qatari,” the 52-year-old Swiss-Italian said yesterday. “Today, I feel Arab. Today, I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today, I feel handicapped. Today I feel like a migrant worker.
No, apparently a Gervais-style sendoff of modern identity politics, but rather a serious call for openness and unity during this tournament. Here is our report, here is the take of Barney Ronayand here is our internal fact-check on exactly what was said. Are we being too hard on Gianni, or is there a core of a half-decent point delivered awkwardly somewhere? Thoughts welcome.
Let’s start with a Sunday morning listen:
Preamble
“It will be the best world Cup already – of course.” These are the words of Gianni Infantino about a bungled event before a ball was struck by crime, corruption and death – and yet, somehow, the least controversial statement from yesterday’s big speech (more on that shortly).
Today, at least, we are going to put his theory to the test. It’s true: 12 years after the World Cup was awarded to Qatar in a decision that left even David Beckham speechless, the day has finally come and it looks like we’re going all the way.
“Focus on football” is another favorite Infantino directive. We can do a bit of that this afternoon, when the hosts take on Ecuador at the gleaming new Al Bayt Stadium. And if the prospect of the 44th and 50th top international teams on the planet weren’t enough for you, there will be a lavish opening ceremony beforehand featuring K-pop superstar Jeon Jungkook and nay-pop superstars. the black Eyed Peas.
But before that we will have an endless stream of news, previews, accumulation, correspondence, interviews, debates, squabbles, squabbles, protests, trivia, reminiscences, hopes, dreams and of regrets from this strangest of World Cups… plus a bit of football too. Got any of the above? Please email them.
So relax, open a Bud Zeroand stay tuned for live updates from day one of Qatar 2022.
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