Preview by Akinola Osuporu

The World Cup opens in Qatar, Middle East, on Sunday, November 20, and ends on Sunday December 18, 2022. Organised by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), every four years and hosted by member countries, the Football Tournament is the most spectacular Sports Festival in the World.

The World Cup started in 1930, and was first won by Uruguay, South America, who was also the Host Nation. South Africa hosted the Football Tournament in year 2010, becoming the first and only African Country to have hosted so far.

Unfortunately, Nigeria is not going to participate in this year’s World Cup, but it has participated six times since joining FIFA in 1960. Nonetheless, five Countries will represent the African Continent, viz: Cameron, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.

It is the belief in many quarters, that Africa definitely has good representation in this year’s Competition. No doubt about it, the pedigree of these representative Nations speak volumes.

Moreover, they have changed markedly in the last twelve months. No African Nation has ever won the World Cup.

The farthest any of them has gone is the quarter finals. Though optimists now strongly believe that this time around, one of these five Countries representing the Black Nation, will get to the Semi-Finals.  Overall, 32 qualified Nations from all over the World, will battle for supremacy within the one month that the Football Tournament will last.

As usual, we expect to see the best footballers around the World, and hope to be thrilled, watching them in action in the Stadia; via the Television, and other technological devices, in our business/working places, and at home.

We look forward to seeing the last dribble runs, the curling free kicks, the perfect penalties and the assists, by the two titans – L. Messi and C. Ronaldo, as this will be their last participation in the World Cup – even as it is expected that goals will still flow from their fecond legs, in the various Clubs they play for. 

Albeit, whoever wins the coveted Trophy between the duo, for his Country, will undoubtedly be the GOAT in Football. Who and who will take over from these two great Stars, will have to dribble, mesmerise and score goals (including penalties, and free kicks with precision), to the admiration of fans and other stakeholders, before they can be considered as heir apparent.

Who will now win this year’s World Cup? Well, I’ll hazard a guess. First, Qatar the Host, is ruled out, because they are minnows in World Football. France, the reigning Champions will not retain the Cup, as the team will falter along the line, under the weight of being a defending Champion. In actual fact, no nation has won the World Cup back to back for some years now.

I think any of Brazil, Argentina, Germany – perennial favourites, will win the exalted Cup, as they are always in fearsome form. This is not to rule out an element of surprise, because in Football, anything can happen.   

However, the question being asked by many peace loving people all over the World now is: would the World Cup bring succor, joy and reconciliation to a troubled World?

This is coming on the heels of global concerns over climate change, the on-going devastating war between Russia and Ukraine, the rumours of war between China and Taiwan, and tension within the Koreans (North and South).   Perhaps. Not to worry. Qatar has promised to host the best World Cup ever, where participants from all over the World will be safe, and the spectacular Tournament will engender joy and happiness in many parts of the World.  

On its part, FIFA has assured that, as usual, the World Cup will be fair, credible and devoid of any acrimony. They are optimistic that the World Cup will bring peace and unity to the World.   I believe them.