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Opinion
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.
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