Distraction attraction

If you’re reading this as it lands in inboxes, South Korea vs Czechia is about to kick off in Zapopan. If you had any sense, you’d have been up since 5am, when Mexico played South Africa.

Yes, it has finally begun. Welcome to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

The fiesta of football is even bigger this year, with 104 games spread over five or so weeks. Even better, for fans in Australia, many are at a time that’s reasonably conducive to a normal sleep schedule, if not the demands of a full-time job.

Unfortunately, the World Cup now comes with a raft of political issues that overshadow the lead up and leave a grubby stain on proceedings. 

This year, we’ve got the ongoing US war with Iran that’s caused the Iranian team to move their base to co-hosts Mexico and prevented a number of support staff from entering the US.

Speaking of, Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States despite being selected to officiate due to…well, we all know why.

There have been concerns over wild weather, with drinks breaks being introduced (you know what they say, it’s a game of four quarters), not to mention sky high pricing, the safety of spectators, and, of course, the ceaseless grumble of FIFA corruption.

It is a cliche to say that when the action begins on the pitch, all of this is forgotten. But it’s a cliche because it’s true. Take Russia in 2018 or Qatar in 2022. Everyone knew about the bribery and the human rights abuses and the cosying up to autocratic regimes. Everyone still enjoyed the football (until a certain penalty miss against France, anyway).

It turns out that no matter how tightly we hold our moral values, pretty much all of us are easily and happily distracted. Until Brazil in the quarter finals, at least.