A CELEBRATION OF FOOTBALL - FIFA Worldcup 2026
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A CELEBRATION OF FOOTBALL - FIFA Worldcup 2026
Every four years, soccer unleashes its version of Deepawali, a festival lit by the choicest of quality
football. The very best of the world’s magicians conjoin to indulge their audience. Both football
aficionados and fans alike, await the carnival more than anything else – for it is the pinnacle of football
spectacle. The newest version starts on June 11…And we can hardly wait !
It is set to have three co-hosts for the first time – USA, Mexico, and Canada. Number of total teams in the
fray bumped up from 32 to 48 amidst much brouhaha. There was apprehension that football quality could
suffer in the bargain, but the idea of exposing more teams to top-drawer football prevailed.
The qualifying process started in 2023 upon culmination of the previous edition in Qatar. Thanks to
FIFA’s endeavour to spread the net far, New Zealand (85) became the lowest ranked country to qualify
for this WC finals.
The FIFA world cup has bestowed on its galleries some of the most breathtaking moments and some of
the most accomplished footballers across the world. In 1950 in Brazil, an amateurish and unknown USA
squad unsettled the best team in the world at the time, England 1-0 to script a fairytale for grandchildren.
The 1954 quarterfinal in Lausanne between Austria and Switzerland had a record 12 goals scored in
sweltering heat. Temperatures of over 40 degrees C could not deter either side from pumping goal after
goal, until the game ended with a 7-5 win to Austria.
In 1958, 17-year-old Pele (Black Pearl) announced himself on the world stage with a brace of goals
against Sweden in Brazil’s first-ever title win. He was destined for far bigger things in years to come, and
became a global football icon who popularised the game worldwide. He helped Brazil win the world cup
twice more. His lightning speed, superb ball control and silken finishes were a sight to behold.
In 1966, England lifted the world cup for the last time yet. Geoff Hurst’s third goal in the final remains up
for debate to this day, but the Poms will have none of it. Hurst’s hat-trick surged England past West
Germany 4-2 and England had their long-awaited stint with glory.
In 1974, in his match against Sweden Johan Cruyff contrived a pirouette so good it got named the Cruyff
Turn. The Swedish defender is still searching for Johan.
1982 saw royal intervention cancel a goal. The Kuwait prince stepped on the ground to protest a goal
awarded to France…and the referee cancelled it !
1986 was Diego Maradona’s world cup all the way. He waltzed Argentina through to a memorable title,
but will also be remembered for his Hand of God goal at a crucial quarter-final stage. That was duly
followed by his Goal Of The Century, apparently to set the record straight.
In 2014 hosts Brazil were taken apart 7-1 by Germany. A royal fall if ever there was one.
And then the 2022 final. The match of all matches. Two glowing stars at their peak. A hat-trick, and yet
3-3. The shootout finally settled scores in favour of Messi’s Argentina.
The world cup has cooked up such great scenes, such theatre, spoilt its fans to such an extent, that we
expect nothing less come June 11. Bring it on !