And the FIFA World Cup begins today. This time, football’s greatest show is being hosted across 16 cities in three nations, the US, Canada and Mexico. They are all between 10½ and 11½ hours behind India, which means the 104 matches played over 39 days between 48 teams will arrive on our TV screens at thoroughly uncivilized hours. Either late at night or at the crack of dawn. Football-crazy fans like me are not complaining.
This is a quadrennial tournament. The pinnacle of the sport. A gathering of the best of the best. And perhaps the last dance for an ageing generation of modern football legends such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Guillermo Ochoa. There are other global superstars, too, for whom this could be the final World Cup — Neymar, Manuel Neuer, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah among them. Not Kylian Mbappe. France is fortunate that he is still only 27 and may well have another three World Cups ahead of him. Perhaps even four.
The tournament kicks off tonight with host nation Mexico taking on South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca. Not the most exciting fixture on the schedule and perhaps not one worth sacrificing sleep for. But somebody has to start the World Cup, and it may as well be them. Meanwhile, favourites Argentina, Spain, France, England, Brazil and Portugal can continue their preparations. Skipping the opener, however, means missing Shakira’s performance. And that is a problem.
After all, who does not like the Colombian singer? She is a pint-sized bundle of dynamite whose ‘Waka Waka’ from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa remains one of football’s great anthems. Canada and the US will stage opening ceremonies of their own tomorrow. Nora Fatehi will perform in Toronto and Katy Perry will sing in Los Angeles. I like them both. But I may not stay awake for their shows because the matches that follow do not particularly appeal to me.
The ritual of following a World Cup is rather like watching a binge-worthy series on Netflix. The competition grows fiercer with every passing round. The storylines become richer. The viewer’s emotional investment deepens by the day. I watch as many matches as I can. I enjoy the pomp and ceremony with which the players emerge from the tunnels beneath the stands. Like gladiators entering an arena. In colours rather than armour.
Football is a macho sport, yes, but it is also a magnificent carnival. The stadiums of North America will be filled with supporters draped in national colours, faces painted, flags fluttering from their shoulders. Loyal fans who have travelled across continents to follow their teams. Men and women beating drums, blowing bugles, having the time of their lives.
Then come the national anthems. Thousands stand with hands over their hearts and sing lustily. The coaches wear grim expressions in the dugouts. The players stare across the pitch, tense and focused, every muscle alert. For a moment, before the referee’s whistle sounds, it feels less like a game and more like the armies of Agamemnon and Prince Hector in ‘Troy’, waiting for the trumpet call that will send them into battle. And then the whistle blows. The war for football’s greatest prize begins.
This story was posted on 11th June 2026.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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