Two out of 32

The most popular sporting event in the world has kicked off with a spectacular inauguration and with the opening match between Croatia and host Brazil.

As in previous World Cups, the euphoria surrounding this mega event has spread throughout the world, including those countries which do not stand a chance of being represented in the final phase of this tournament.

In Bangladesh, flags of the two popular and most supported countries, Brazil and Argentina, can be seen fluttering alongside the national flag of the country, in almost all rooftops and terraces, and the topic of discussion is invariably: Will it be Brazil or Argentina? Competitions have even started on the size of these flags.

For me personally, this World Cup brings a totally new experience. This is the first time I am back in the country, since 1974, during a World Cup. We did not have the luxury of watching World Cup matches live on television back then. Newspaper reports, news on television and radio, and occasional TV clips were all that we could depend on. TV exposure was non-existent, and football stories were filtered through word of mouth, and legends like Pele, Puskas and Eusebio filled our imagination.

Thirty-two countries participate in the main draw of FIFA World Cup. Understandably, there are some weaker countries in Asia and Africa, which have not been able to advance to the later stages of this tournament. But, one cannot deny that these countries also add to the spark and entertainment that this event provides.

I, for one, will never forget how Cameroon caught the imagination of football lovers throughout the world, and Roger Milla’s hip-swinging dance clutching the corner flag after scoring a goal. Incidentally, Roger Milla still holds the record of being the oldest player to score a goal in a FIFA World Cup tournament.

The majority of participating countries come from Europe (almost half), of the eight countries to have lifted the coveted trophy in the 19 editions so far, only three are from South America and five from Europe.

So, the question that I have started asking many is: What’s with this euphoria and craze for Brazil and Argentina before and during every FIFA World Cup? The answers I received from football enthusiasts are varied and also interesting.

Many have grown up watching World Cup in the live TV era, and their icons were Diego Maradona, whose genius was simply enthralling. With that came their unyielding support for that country, and now with Lionel Messi taking centre stage in world football, that support has naturally become stronger.

There can be no doubt that Maradona was a very gifted player, who is still revered. I have never seen a better individual goal than the one he scored against England, taking the ball from his own half and beating a number of England players, including the goalkeeper, and calmly placing the goal in the English net. But then, it was the same match that saw the famous “Hand of God” goal.

In a recent interview with Gulf News, during a visit to Dubai, Peter Shilton, the England goalkeeper in that match, said Diego should at least apologise now. But Maradona has again refused. On the contrary, after the French forward Thierry Henry scored an important goal against Ireland, in a crucial WC qualifying match, which he thought was improper, he did not wait to apologise. That’s where sportsmanship comes to the fore.

Another important factor in this overwhelming support for Brazil and Argentina was that there was a herd mentality – people tend to conform. The dominant idea is that winners are to be backed, which can be seen in the national scenario too. We tend to hear the advice “do not waste your vote” during polls.

But with this argument comes a distinct lack of knowledge. As I pointed out earlier, European countries won the World cup more than the South Americans. Brazil won the title five times, but with four wins, Italy is close on their heels. Germany is one of the most successful teams in the World cup, having won the title three times, once more than Argentina, and reaching the last four many times.

It is a well-known fact that the creative and individual-skill based games of South Americans attract a huge number of football enthusiasts. People are fascinated with names like Pele, Maradona, Kafu, Romario, Bebeto, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Messi, and Neymar. But skilled players of Europe, for unknown reasons, go unnoticed. Just to take one example. German striker, Miroslav Klose needs just two more goals to surpass Brazil’s Ronaldo’s record (15 goals) of highest number of goals scored in the World Cup.

Coming to the style of football, the samba football has won its admirers, no doubt, but European football has given some very innovative formations, including the famous diamond formation, and the 4-3-1-2 formation. It is now believed that Italy may be bringing in a 1-3-5-2 formation. It could very well be that the long ball football of Europe does not attract people in this part of the world.

Another totally football-unrelated point that came out was the North-South divide, pointing out that it is a case of identifying with the have-nots. The overstated idea of Afro-Asian-Latin American unity is still in the minds of some people. Many say that’s why Diego Maradona is still revered – he was a have-not and he challenged the establishment.

Whatever the arguments for and against, football enthusiasts all over the world will be glued to their television screens, cheering their teams to go all the way to the final on July 13 in Rio.

As for the ultimate winners, I would like to see a European country lift the coveted trophy for the first time in South America. In the meantime, let’s enjoy this great event.