World Cup co-hosting debate centers on USA, Mexico, Canada

"

An old footballing adage tells us that no World Cup is quite complete without a gutsy run of results from the host nation(s), who dutifully go deep in the tournament to stir up local fervour. See South Korea in 2002 for a prime example: a plucky and at times controversial slalom to the semi-finals before being crushed by a traditional heavyweight. Way back when, a host nation winning the whole thing was commonplace, occurring in five of the first 11 World Cups when Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), West Germany (1974) and Argentina (1978) triumphed on home soil. Nowadays, thanks to Fifa’s completely altruistic desire to spread the game globally, the prospect of a host nation actually lifting the trophy is somewhat diminished, with South Africa and Qatar crashing out in the group stage in recent-ish years. Oh god, as if ‘do one’ is not hilarious enough (getting funnier with endless repetition), you are now translating it into the language of the manager involved! Where will it end? Wherever it ends it will just keep getting better and better” – Trevor West (and no others). I am very much enjoying the GWC here in North America, good stadiums, great fans (the Scots drank Boston dry) but watching the games on American TV is really annoying. The US commentators prattle on continuously without ever identifying the player with the ball, never allow for a moment’s silence, and are such an irritation that its better to watch with the TV on mute and find another source of commentary (this is definitely not just a problem in the USA USA USA – Football Daily Ed). I have friends who prefer to watch the Spanish TV coverage even though they don’t speak Spanish!” – Trevor Wastell May I be the 1,056th musician to point out that Will Unwin is clearly in the dark re orchestral manoeuvres as evinced by his ‘redundant second fiddle metaphor’ comments (yesterday’s Football Daily). By definition, an orchestra cannot exist without an entire row (desk) of second fiddles and indeed thirds. Marcus Rashford may indeed be dissatisfied with Thomas Tuchel’s assessment of his talents but I would refer him to the comment from a conductor when a second fiddle complained that being two rows back she was too close to the intolerably loud trumpet section behind her. ‘If you want to be nearer the front you should practise harder’ came the response” – Harry Piano. Continue reading...