In recent years, the world's ability to negotiate has proven to be much lower than previously imagined. Countries are closing borders, imposing sanctions and restrictions, and arguing over everything from security to trade. The World Cup, too, has been surrounded by political and organizational issues that kept many on edge long before the tournament started.
For instance, the US regime, co-hosting the championship with Canada and Mexico, has imposed entry restrictions on citizens of several countries. Exceptions were made for participants, but for some fans and media representatives, attending the tournament has become more complicated than in previous editions. The planet's biggest sports festival is beginning with discussions not only of squads and tactics, but also of visa issues and security problems.
The Uzbekistan national team, playing in the World Cup for the first time, faced this new reality immediately upon arrival in the US. Videos of the team undergoing lengthy and particularly thorough checks quickly spread on social media, causing understandable discontent among fans and the press. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan had to provide explanations.
Nevertheless, our players and fans flew to America for football. And there is plenty of football expected! The championship has expanded to unprecedented proportions: 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 cities, and a record prize fund of $655 million. For FIFA, this is an opportunity to attract new audiences and additional revenue. For fans, it means more teams and more football to watch. But there is a catch.
The more football becomes a global industry, the more expensive it is to watch it live. Ticket prices for many matches have long exceeded the boundaries of mass sport. The World Cup already exists in two dimensions simultaneously: as a folk game and as a very expensive international product.
However, money cannot change football as powerfully as technology. The official match ball, Trionda, is hard to call just a ball. FIFA has also created three-dimensional models of all players on the field to help artificial intelligence assist referees in decision-making. Now VAR can check decisions on corner kicks, goalkeepers' time holding the ball is limited, and the substitution process should be faster.
The game of millions is making a choice in favor of fairness. At least, technological fairness. The only issue is that people come to stadiums for what AI cannot offer: surprises, emotions, and excitement.
Despite all the talk about politics, money, and digitalization, the meaning of the World Cup remains the same. Like the aura of the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is hosting the opening match for the third time — in 1970, 1986, and now, at midnight Tashkent time. This stadium remembers Pelé and Maradona, the 'Goal of the Century' and the 'Hand of God' in the same match. The World Cup has returned one of the most important places in football history to the Azteca.
History loves unexpected repetitions. The opening match of the current championship features Mexico and South Africa — these teams also played in the 2010 opening. And that match was refereed by our Ravshan Irmatov — then the world discovered another new name from Uzbekistan.
Sixteen years later, Irmatov, now First Vice-President of the Uzbekistan Football Association, arrived at the World Cup with the national team. During this time, Uzbekistan has gone from a country represented at the World Cup only through a referee to a participant in the world championship with its own team.
Every debutant brings not only players but also a part of their country, culture, and character to the World Cup. At this championship, Uzbek fans will for the first time be able to discuss not others' matches and hopes, but their own team. Arguing about the lineup, worrying about the result, looking for opponents' strengths and weaknesses, counting the days until the starting whistle… Less than a week left — and the legendary Azteca will open for our players. Now we are not just watching the World Cup — we are part of it!
Source: www.gazeta.uz