Remember World Cup 2014 – There may not be anything like it in a long time

By on July 24, 2014

Different World Cups are loved for all different reasons. In Germany 2006, it was to bring the World Cup back to Europe, a continent finally regaining supremacy after decades of South American domination. To celebrate the growing superpower in the footballing world that is Africa, there was South Africa 2010. And this summer, we saw football return to its “spiritual home” in Brazil. Nothing since 1950 had the World Cup seen such a thing. Hundreds of thousands gathered along the Rio beaches to watch each and every match – the football was taken into the depths of the Amazon, and the world enjoyed a brilliant final played at the one and only Maracana. The affair was entirely Brazilian.

Even the play seemed to bring back memories of the old Brazil – a long time record of 2.7 goals-per-game was set and the world was treated to some brilliant flair, goals, and young stars. And it is not hard to say that the World Cups tradition of treating the world to that kind of spectacle is far from over. But while the quality of play will not decrease the slightest, that can’t be said about the spirit of it all. In four years time, it is hard say that Russia will bring the same kind of ritual and spirit to the World Cup as Brazil did. For a country that has never won a World Cup, the theme is not likely to match that of Brazil or South Africa. It may end of being an icy themed tournament much like Euro 2012 – something that doesn’t quite capture that World Cup spiritual vibe. At least, not like Brazil or South Africa – especially considering the recent political scenes in the country. The youthful experience Brazil featured will not be around in the next couple of tournaments.

Then look at Qatar in 2022. Already, still eight years away from the spectacle, it is under massive controversy due to corruption and construction. The host city of the final is literally nowhere to be found in Qatar at the moment – the country is yet to begin construction on it. A city that has not been withstanding for most likely even five years will not make it the same experience of Brazil, a country which hosted the World Cup sixty-four years ago in the same stadium it did this summer.

Now, it is fair to say that Qatar will undoubtedly be an incredible host – welcoming in the latest technological era in not only football, but the world. Yet what will change with that is the atmosphere of the tournament. It no longer will seem to be a spiritual tournament for everybody to enjoy – in 2010 thousands of local South Africans were granted free tickets to matches. Just like the brand spanking new cities in Qatar, the next few World Cups will seem much more isolated from the real world – tournaments not the enjoyment of their atmosphere, rather the grandeur.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.