Look, it’s three days til the opening of World Cup 2026 and whilst as a Scot I should be buzzing about the prospect of my national team playing three matches then coming home, it’s really difficult not to view this through a political lens.
Firstly, these thoughts are mine and in no way reflect the views of TPQ or anyone associated with it. FIFA is corrupt as fuck. That’s obvious to even the casual observer whilst Israel are busy committing genocide in Gaza - Yes, Andy Burnham, it’s a genocide - both their men’s and women’s teams were accepted into their respective competitions.
Russia on the other hand attacks Ukraine - “uproar uproar” from Western governments - and is booted out of practically all sporting events. Israel of course are on the side of the “good terrorists” - USA, UK, NATO et al, and more importantly they aren’t bombing, murdering or maiming Caucasians. The whole thing is fucked and it’s “rules for thee not for me.” It absolutely wouldn’t surprise me if the US went on to win this competition just so the Arsehole in Chief can lift the trophy.
Then of course we have the domestic terrorists that are ICE. How many innocent people have died in these concentration camps whilst waiting to be deported? Do we just ignore the US record on human rights? Let’s not forget the two high profile murders of Trumps' personal army - writer and poet Renée Nicole Macklin Good and Intensive care nurse Alex Pretti - but there are others:
Victor Manuel Diaz
Silverio Villegas González
Ruben Ray Martinez
Geraldo Lunas Campos
And these are the names we know. The conditions in these ICE camps are some of the worst imaginable; and the stories from those who have been detained in these places of the treatment of detainees puts the IDF in the shade. Whilst we are sat enjoying the opening ceremony human beings are suffering in cages, stripped of dignity and human rights but we’re meant to just enjoy the fireworks? Again I have visions of this being mostly Trump and little to do with football - like a golden statue of the man rising through the floor before angels crown him and he rises high into the air to bless the crowds and the stadium. Then lowered, before the man himself is carried to the stage by numerous teenage girls on a bed of the finest satin and silk, then launching into a piece about how great it is to be him, how he’s always been a rugby fan and MAGA!
On top of this (seems trivial but worth mentioning I guess) the ridiculousness of ticket prices - Scotland v Brazil in the cheap seats will cost you over £1000. That’s before food, accommodation. Even against Haiti it’s £410. Add in Morocco at £480 and there’s £2,000 per person. It’s went way beyond the wallet of the average working man. It’s greed, corporate greed. Hotel room prices have doubled, trebled. Hell I read the other day that a particular German lager will set you back $18 a bottle!!
The USA under Trump isn’t fit to host the World Cup but then where is right now? The whole world seems to be on fire and the far right Nazis are taking over or at least trying too. Regimes like Trumps and to a lesser extent Boris Johnson’s have made racism, hate and suspicion acceptable again.
I want to enjoy the spectacle but I fear my conscience may have other ideas.
However you view the World Cup, If you choose to watch it or not that’s on you but the ugly head of Qatar hangs shamefully over this event also. For a brief moment we forgot as Messi finally lifted the trophy of the horrors faced by ordinary people, the slave labour and untold dead who built the stadiums, We rejoiced. Let’s not remain silent on the crimes of the Trump regime.
Til next time ….
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
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