I have always noticed that the FIFA World Cup is often referred to as ‘one of the greatest sporting events in the world,’ with the key words being ‘one of.’
Up there challenging to be deemed the No.1 event is undoubtedly the Olympic Games, which many consider the best because of the variety of sports and athletes on display.
Both opinions are of course respectable. Both hold a particular rarity about being hosted once every four years in a different country or even multiple.
There is much more history associated with the Olympics, dating back around 3000 years in Ancient Greece, transcending the essence of sports and competition.
Compare that to the World Cup: it has been around for 92 years since its inception in 1930. Even so, it still holds so much prestige and influence around the globe.
The round ball game is the most popular sport in the world for a reason. People can’t turn around and say it’s due to the sport being the oldest, because that’s not true.
Football brings people together from all walks of life no matter how difficult their life or financial situation may be. It is so easily accessible and such a simple game to play.
Hearing stories of professional players growing up with their families living off nothing and being forced to create a ball out of socks or plastic are the journeys that touch you to the core.
It has the incredible ability to grip people in and keep spectators on the edge of their seats.
An argument that always seems to be put forward that aims to disregard football is the low scoring involved. In fact, this is what makes the game so unique.
Celebrating a goal that is so rare to come by most often brings out the passion and thrill of supporters and neutrals, which no other sport has the capability of replicating.
Who said football lacks goals, though? The Qatar World Cup notched up 174 during the four weeks, breaking the record for the most goals scored in the tournament’s history.
How can anyone not love football when there are so many highs and lows in one match?
The Final between Argentina and France was not just regarded as one of the best sporting contests of all time, but also one which consisted of drama that led people constantly change emotions.
(Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Deep into added time of the second period of extra time, France’s Kolo Muani found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez only for the Argentine to produce a sensational save, to then give Lautaro Martínez the chance to go up the other end and score, only to miss a free header.
From the French bench seen jumping up and celebrating before Martínez’s save to be on the verge of despair.
Argentina was leading twice in the game only for their lead to be pegged back more than once. The advantages of a low-scoring game. An unparalleled spectacle.
Only football and the World Cup can bring those emotions out.
It can’t be denied that the World Cup has historically been won by the favourites with only Europe and South America victorious, but football has the power to be so unpredictable and provide upsets for the ages which is one of the many beauties of the game.
A match can be played in so many different ways with tactical options endless for any manager.
Saudi Arabia shocked the eventual world champions 2-1 by playing a high defensive line and a clear counter-attacking plan.
Japan beat former world champions Spain and Germany changing to five at the back.
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals riding a wave of momentum and inspiring team unity.
(Photo by Youssef Loulidi/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Football is a religion to so many and the scenes around the world of fans supporting their respective nations only highlight the enormity of the game and how seriously people take it.
You just have to look at the euphoria currently taking place in Argentina to get a sense of what it all really means.
Just a game? Try telling that to the 4 million Argentinians packed in the streets of Buenos Aires welcoming their heroes home. Grown adults were crying. You simply don’t see that same passion and atmosphere at the Olympics or any sport for that matter.
The scenes witnessed all across Australia at the live sites coming together as one to watch the Socceroos was a fantastic advert for the sport in this country which it should be immensely proud of.
It was a moment in which football grew just that little bit more and gained respect from those Australians who previously did not give football the recognition it deserves. More people understand how important this game is to so many.
If you think about it, what other sport has the potential to unite a country like the Socceroos and the Matildas?
Graham Arnold summed it up best after their win against Denmark to qualify for the knockout stages.
“I truly believe that the Socceroos are the team that unites the country. If the cricket team get to the final of the World Cup you don’t get scenes like tonight,” he said.
The accuracy in that statement.
The reason why the World Cup is the best sporting event on the planet is that it truly is the world game. Over 200 countries compete to qualify for the privilege and opportunity to have their nation represented on the grandest of stages in front of billions of eyes.
According to Forbes, it’s projected that the 2022 World Cup reached 5 billion people globally watching some part of the showpiece event.
Football is a passion. Football is entertainment. Football is filled with highs and lows. Football is the best sport in the world.
chris
Guest
And AFL heads calling the games lol The old men who watch that channel will be happy at least.
max power
Guest
yawn, thanks for telling us
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hosting the FIFA world cup
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Prepare for the laughable commercial breaks in between goals…
Garry
Roar Rookie
"The tournament as a whole was actually run very well." ..was it? what we saw on tv was the football..what we dont see is the scenes behind it. There seems plenty of transport issues reported as well overcrowding issues, ticketing issues, stadium issues, accomodation issues and minor issues such as restricted alcohol sales. Some of these are to be expected but how many werent? AND hopw many were hushed up?? I went to Sth Africa 2010 & beforehand I didnt think they were ready to hold it. What I saw and encountered suggested I was right BUT I still enjoyed the experience & games seemed to go off without a hitch.
Garry
Roar Rookie
name an alternative which doesnt have similar issues
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
ok, but name me one team sport that is tougher to win at the world level
Midfielder
Roar Guru
agree
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Chris This part of your post is wrong... "" it is the sporting event that has most competitive teams capable of doing well."""" Not true, the WC is made up of 6 main groups, Europe, North & Central America , South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania ... teams missing out from Europe and South America are often said to be better than teams from Asia.... However, today all nations are getting stronger and Football is exploding in Asia & Africa especially as their economies expand and people have the ability to have some leisure time..
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
just modified my comment. I am just thankful we have so many sports to watch and enjoy. The more the better.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
No argument from me... people like other sports.... rugby, surfing, ten pin bowling, basketball ... heaps more.... Agree some don't like sport.... However on a head to head i.e. nations competing, audience, revenue, global appeal, nothing even comes close... cricket may in the future as the India population world wide increases its influence... but as of today Football is the clear winner and I agree not with everybody... take my friend who has never watched a Football match in his life and constantly talks about what a poor game it is full of actors and divers...
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
just because something has the biggest audience means jack s..t in terms of rating anything. No doubt that soccer is biggest sporting event, but data will differ from nation to nation. IN US, more people watched Usain bolt than finals of WC 2010 and 2014. World Cup soccer is great because it is the sporting event that has most competitive teams capable of doing well.
chris
Guest
Yes even channel 7 has the rights. That's a real shame, but like you said, they won't have much choice.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Don’t think the media will have much choice
Midfielder
Roar Guru
If rating are the guide the WC easily wins over the Olympics especially if you consider the Football part of the Olympics is normally the biggest world wide audience... Almost every country has live sites packed to the rafters.... Prince [the singer] wrote """Nothing Compares to You""" mate of mine rusted on hard core AFL fan always refuses to the WC saying its full of divers and acting and not a real mans game whatever that means.... the same this time ..... got my own back when he said Messie dives and is an actor this from someone who has never watched him play.... so i sent him this clip and said watch from about 39 seconds... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq4ZpjLBt4I&t=244s&ab_channel=MagicalMessi Football is not everyone's cup of tea... and thats fair.... but as Prince said nothing compares to it in the sporting world..
Brendan
Roar Pro
A fantastic World Cup, especially for the Socceroos. Now it’s time for the ladies to shine Down Under. Australia, are we ready for the media’s microscope to be focused on us?
striker
Guest
The world cup is bigger than the olympics there is no doubt about it, when you get 5 million people to celebrate like they did in Argentina shows what it means to every nation in it, great to see Australia do so well and unite the nation like from all backgrounds, bigger and better things to come from the socceroos in the future.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
Yep, World Cup soccer is huge, but I personally prefer the Olympic Games by a mile.
FWIW
Roar Rookie
I wasn't raised on Football and always found it difficult to get into, despite having many friends who loved it. This World Cup changed that. Ironically I was initially vehemently opposed to it due to the nature of the hosts and the corruption surrounding the event. When it looked as though the Socceroos wouldn't qualify I thought that was the perfect excuse to not watch a minute. And then they pulled off the unlikely and made it. I will always support Australian teams and so tuned in to watch their games. What happened next had never happened to me before. I suddenly was appreciating the sport on a tactical nature. Not just cheering for green and gold, but on the edge of the seat watching closely at the ensuing battle between offense and defense, individual vs individual, team vs team, manager vs manager. The Australian team got me watching, but from there I was hooked and watched many more matches and countries. The final cemented it. That match had literally everything, and as a sports fan one of the great spectacles I have witnessed. Since then I have gone down the YouTube rabbit hole watching all number of football clips and don't think this new found love is going anyway anytime soon. PS How anyone could argue that Ronaldo is better than Messi is beyond me.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
You said the onfield entertainment will not be overshadowed. It already has. It was overshadowed from the moment the tournament was awarded which led in part to a criminal investigation of FIFA and the downfall of Blatter, Warner etc. It’s a beautiful game. It’s just sad it’s run by people who strip away it’s beauty