Infantino's Disaster: Opening Day Highlights the Qatar World Cup's Shortcomings
#International #Zeitgeist #Football #FootballWorldCup #FIFA

What a debacle for FIFA․ At the end of the opening match, Al Bayt Stadium was almost empty, with the Qatari fans having long since headed for home․ It was a powerful symbol of a World Cup taking place under a cloud of suspicions․

Balling in the Banlieues: The Problematic Roots of France's Football Success
#International #Europe #FootballWorldCup #France #Football

Many of France's best football players come from problematic surroundings․ When they reach stardom, they are forced to walk a difficult line between fame and fortune – and the envy of their former friends․ Some fall off or become targets of extortion․