Whether you like Donald Trump or not, there is something you have to admire: the American president has a unique ability to be the center of attention in much of the world at the same time – more than Taylor Swift.
Just in the last few days, it surprised the American continent with its intervention in Venezuela; scared Europe with the threat of annexing Greenland, which belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark; angered Vladimir Putin by seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker. Trump dominates the headlines wherever you live. Being feared and pampered is something he certainly loves. And, for some time now, he has done the same when it comes to the World Cup.
At a party with three hosts – the United States, Canada and Mexico –, he makes a point of showing that he is the protagonist. He threatened his neighbors, saying that he would love for Canada to be the 51st North American state and that he would not rule out invading Mexico militarily to fight drug cartels (he said the same again after capturing Nicolás Maduro).
Among the guests, only those who he approves enter. Fans from Haiti and Iran, qualified for the World Cup, were barred. They are part of a list of countries whose citizens are banned from entering the United States for security reasons. Some tight ends were avoided: Venezuela did not qualify, Ukraine will compete in the European playoffs in March, but the Russians remain suspended from football. Denmark is still trying to place in the World Cup. To see if Greenland will be Trump’s by then.
The US government also promised to monitor social networks of tourists who apply for visas, remove departures from host cities that Trump considers unsafe, and so on. But, if you think that the international community or FIFA will mobilize against any of these issues, forget it. Nothing will change, and Trump will rule whatever he wants.
The truth is that almost no country in the world wants to go head to head with the United States. There is a lot at stake when it comes to trade relations and military dependence. Europe has knelt at Trump’s feet because it really needs his support to try to end the war in Ukraine. FIFA wants to please him so much that it created a Peace Prize especially for him, at an awkward moment during the World Cup group draw in December.
During the World Cup, expect some scattered protests from the population. And that’s it.
Looking on the positive side, I have no doubt that the tournament will be very well organized. The United States knows how to host sporting events like no one else. Trump, a successful businessman, will be determined to make this World Cup work.
Furthermore, football has grown a lot in the country since the last time they hosted a World Cup, in 1994, thanks to the women’s achievements – they are four-time world champions –, the development of the MLS (Major Soccer League) and the fact that the sport is now globalized.
If the US president leaves, some headlines will be sports. Especially because, in this expanded competition with 48 teams and 104 matches, there will be no shortage of topics and emotions.
And, if you, sports fan, get tired of hearing, seeing and reading Trump’s name by then, be patient. Especially because there will be more in a little while: Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games with, yes, himself in power.
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