As I write this piece, the world is poised to witness, what has perhaps been — from a purely sporting spectacle — one of the most memorable World Cup tournaments in recent memory.
In previous editions of the competition, the outcome had become almost predictable. Inevitably, it was a clash of sporting powers in the end, the likes of which Germany, France, Brazil and Argentina would always feature. This time around, the outcome had not been so certain, up until the centerpiece clash between Argentina and France in the finals.
From the time that now-finalist Argentina lost their first group match to Saudi Arabia, the tone had been sent for what was to become a giant-killing spectacle, erstwhile footballing minions who would be able to stage upsets against perennial favorites and entertaining the world — one that had been so used to the monotony of Goliaths always bullying the sporting Davids — to witness the underdogs triumph against the odds.
Whilst my favourite team England may have made its predictable exit as predictable as it could possibly be, my dark horse favorite, Morocco, went on its unbelievable against-all-odds run until almost the very end, capitulating only to favourite France, which counts Kylian Mbappe — arguably the best player in the game today — among its ranks. No small feat considering that along the way, they beat the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal — with all their highly-paid superstars — to become the darlings of the footballing world.
Morocco isn’t the only one, mind you. Before finally running out of steam, Japan too had its share of the glory, before bowing out to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16. South Korea also made it out of the group stages, meaning there were representatives from all the continents going into the knockout stages.
One of the aims of modern sporting competitions has always been to bring people together through the common language of sports, in ways that not even diplomacy and the normal discourse among nations could. But while the aim has been admirable, the results have not always been. Inevitably, the haves and the have nots were as clearly divided in sports, as they were in other aspects of society, for example. And understandably so, since developing excellent athletes and teams take money, which the wealthier nations have more of.
Qatar 2022, although not quite the tournament that would finally break the barrier among wealthy and less wealthy sporting nations, is a testament that sport as a leveler of the playing field (no pun intended) is actually something that is achievable.
The rise of Morocco, if it is not to be a one-off, is something that the rest of us less wealthy sporting nations could bask in the glory of. Not only is the country not as affluent as the other footballing powers are, its players are also less stellar than the teams they put to the sword. Graft, teamwork and determination got them through what normally would only be possible with star talent and lots and lots of money.
So from a purely sporting perspective, has Qatar 2022 delivered on its promise? I would argue that it has, to a large extent. From a non-sporting perspective, however, it another story. That is something we will look at in our next edition.
(I would like to extend my warmest greetings to my sister, Aleli Batuhan, who celebrated her birthday recently. Cheers!)