The game's gone...

The game’s gone. You see it all the time on your social media platform of choice. Decrying the loss of the game to things like half n half scarves, mash up kits on North London derby day, players wearing ludicrously small shin pads, the list goes on.

Watching the World Cup draw last week one thing was clear. The game is officially gone. There’s no tongue in my cheek as I say this, no sarcastic grin but a sad realisation.

FIFA’s cosying up and ego fluffing to the orange buffoon currently in charge of America reached it’s zenith at the draw as he was Trump was awarded a peace prize. The first ever to receive this. The first award, the most important award, some say the greatest award (you read that in his voice come on admit it)the award to further ingratiate the footballing organisation to their landlord. They’ve courted him for so long and finally all of the goo goo eyes they’ve made have found their prize.

World Cup 2026 coming to you live from the United States of America as football continues it’s effort to grow in the US the greatest party on Earth is headed their way. Before we know it the opening ceremony will be here and you can already feel the next announcement will be Trump taking an opening ceremony penalty. Finger crossed for a Diana Ross style miss!

I tried my best to not engage with the last tournament.

The issues around Qatar were well documented and I’m not going to repeat them here, but football has a way of sucking us in. My moral compass was initially strong but as the tournament progressed I couldn’t help but sneak a look. Once the knock out phase started the vortex took me under.

I have so much respect for those who were stronger willed than I and resisted however I also feel sad that those who love the game so much may have missed out of one of the greatest finals in the modern era.

This incoming tournament is already throwing up issues, astronomical ticket pricing or perhaps more accurately the blight or dynamic pricing. Stadiums in host cities that are actually miles from the city itself. 87 minutes of ego fluffing and dad dancing before a single ball was pulled in the draw. Gianni being called Jonnie (or that’s how it sounded), that blooming ‘peace prize’. FIFA cosying up to another questionable regime.

Just yesterday it was revealed that the 2026 World Cup ‘Pride Match’ to feature Egypt and Iran in Seattle, a progressive city contested by two teams whose nations consider homosexuality illegal! It’s hard to determine at this point if the narrative for this World Cup is being put together by comedy writers or the team behind Black Mirror.

The ticket prices encourage elitism within the attendees or financial ruin for real fans. The stadiums are being built with blood under the finger nails. They are making up awards to satisfy egos. The draws are over long and feel like glimpsing into an office party you could not get away from quick enough more than a celebration of football. You have to wonder at times if anyone in FIFA even watches football!

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, maybe I’m just more aware of the issues involved but it feels like the game is gone and now more than ever we need to find a way to take it back!