Array
Even before an epic final won by Lionel Messi and Argentina, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was calling it the best World Cup ever in Qatar.
There was clear self-interest to declare the success of a tournament that was politically fraught for most of the 12 years since the wealthy emirate was picked as host by a previous FIFA leadership broadly tainted by corruption allegations.
FIFA’s fundamental role is to oversee global soccer’s rules and make sure World Cups happen on schedule: Goal achieved, billions of dollars duly earned.
As ever with arguably world sport’s most colorful governing body, there was much else going on.
ON THE FIELD
When the games begin focus shifts to the field, and FIFA got that early on day three when Messi and Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an upset for the ages.
One day later, Germany lost to Japan and then Brazil delighted the world in its first game against Serbia. Morocco picked up the baton and was the first African or Arab nation to still be playing on the last weekend of a World Cup.
Games were consistently compelling if not the best quality. These were not vintage Spain or Netherlands teams, and not even Brazil by the time of its quarterfinals exit.
The drama rose with simultaneous group-stage games that carried Japan, South Korea and Croatia to the round of 16 and sent Germany and Belgium home.
All continents got teams into the knockout rounds, letting Infantino repeat his claim of soccer becoming truly global for the first time.
When the final was a true classic on Sunday, Argentina winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw, it left everyone except France feeling like they won.
POLITICS
It was a most political World Cup. Before a game was played there was scrutiny of Qatar for its human rights record, employment practices and a years-long boycott by neighboring states in which FIFA pushed for the Gulf region to share the tournament.
In the final weeks of preparation, Qatar pushed back more confidently against its critics a process FIFA joined after teams and media arrived on site.
Infantino’s infamous I feel gay, I feel a migrant worker speech on Nov. 19 hit many of the host nation’s talking points that alleged western hypocrisy and racism.
