It is World Cup season, and it’s fantastic to once again the event hosted on this side of the globe. There’s no need to wake up - or stay awake - at ungodly hours just to see some football magic. Instead we get to pretend we’re working at work, only to be otherwise glued to the television screen.
I fondly remember one childhood summer where all I did was watch World Cup matches for the entire day. Ah, to be young and have zero responsibilities. We can’t quite do that anymore.
Great shame to the Chinese people that even with the first ever expanded field from 32 to 48 countries, the Chinese national team has, once again, failed to qualify for the tournament. The second most populous country on this planet and yet we can’t find 11 blokes with enough talent to make some noise on the world stage. The only way this could be worst is if the most populous country - India - made it in. Good thing they didn’t.
Come on, China. Let’s get it together. Spend some money, put some academies together.
In the meantime, I will be rooting for my adopted Asian country, Korea. Let’s go Tigers!
I am greatly looking forward to attending a group stage game here locally. A once in a lifetime opportunity and experience for sure. Never mind that we have zero rooting interest between Australia and Paraguay. To quote Hamilton, we just want to be in the room where it happened. A solid match between the two countries is what we can ask for.
Picking a winner for the 2026 edition? I have to say the French team looks really good. They’ve go the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, and Kylian Mbappe. Three straight World Cup finals for Les Bleus looks to be a lock.
Ornately.
