World Cup Excitement
After a 40-year wait, Mexicans finally celebrated a World Cup on home soil, feeling immense pride in being the first nation to host three tournaments. The atmosphere in the city has been electric this week. Fans who managed to secure tickets were determined not to miss the occasion. Despite road closures and protests from striking teachers and families of the 130,000 people who have disappeared in the country, all 83,000 seats at the Azteca were filled 90 minutes before the match commenced, dispelling Fifa’s concerns of delays.
Many supporters undertook a long trek, walking several miles alongside closed highways from 8am to reach their seats well before kick-off. The sight of thousands of sombreros being tossed into the air just prior to the start was a stirring moment, while the first Mexican Wave in the 17th minute captivated even the most skeptical observers.
Shakira’s Comeback
Although over £7 million raised from the proceeds of the 2010 anthem Waka Waka remains unaccounted for, Shakira showed no signs of resentment. The Colombian singer returned to headline the World Cup opening ceremony, outshining performances by Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Danny Ocean with her new song, Dai Dai. Nonetheless, it is unlikely her latest track will match the impact of her earlier contribution to football culture.
Waka Waka not only became an iconic World Cup anthem but also left a lasting mark, topping charts in 15 countries and amassing over 4.4 billion views on YouTube and more than 1 billion downloads on Spotify. Coincidentally, this match mirrored the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, which featured South Africa and Mexico in a 1-1 draw at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Thankfully, few fans brought their vuvuzelas from that tournament. Just before kick-off, Andrea Bocelli sang the World Cup anthem, DNA, but it was the lengthy entrance of the 48 flag bearers that truly caught attention, emphasizing that endurance will be crucial in this extended marathon of a World Cup.
Gianni’s Shift in Tone
In the lead-up to the Qatar World Cup four years ago, Gianni Infantino presented himself as a nearly messianic figure advocating for the underrepresented and oppressed. Even during the draw in Washington six months ago, he embraced Donald Trump’s description of him as the “King of Football.” However, at this tournament, Infantino has adopted a notably different stance.
Faced with the political and administrative hurdles imposed by the US government, particularly regarding immigration and security policies, Infantino has emphasized that Fifa is merely a sports organization with limited influence over such critical issues. This marks a significant change from a man who once attempted to create an alternative to the Nobel Peace Prize.
Promising Hosts
Mexico was fortunate to begin their campaign against a disorganized South Africa team, which conceded a goal in the ninth minute due to poor passing and goalkeeping. Seizing the opportunity, the hosts looked poised to make an impact in the tournament. Unlike other nations, most of Javier Aguirre’s squad benefited from an extended preparation period, with Liga MX players participating in a mandatory five-week training camp last month, showcasing their readiness from the start.
Wingers Roberto Alvarado and goalscorer Julián Quiñones were particularly dangerous, and the hosts could have increased their lead during a dominant opening half. While South Korea and Czechia may pose greater challenges in their remaining matches, Mexico’s strong start suggested they would be formidable opponents for England should they meet in the Round of 16, contingent on both teams winning their respective groups.
Endurance Required
Even in relatively mild conditions and with minimal stoppages, the opening game of the World Cup felt lengthy, potentially setting a precedent for the rest of the tournament. Despite temperatures hovering around 22 degrees, Fifa mandated three-minute hydration breaks, resulting in Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio not blowing the half-time whistle until 55 minutes had elapsed, despite only four minutes of added time being played.
It seems inevitable that matches in this tournament will exceed two hours, and games characterized by numerous stoppages in warm conditions could stretch even longer.
