New Delhi: The upcoming FIFA World Cup has been marred by chaos and controversy, with the world in the midst of an energy crisis and many countries staring at an economic crisis.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hailed the tournament as the 'biggest, most inclusive, and greatest' ever, but critics argue that it's a cruel joke to use such words at a time like this.
The US, with President Donald Trump leading the way, is one of the three hosts for the expanded 48-team tournament, despite being at war with Iran and the conflict having led to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran will play all three of its Group G matches in the US, but the team's base camp is located in Tijuana, Mexico, due to the US not wanting to host the Iranians.
The tournament has seen its fair share of controversies in the past, from spitting and biting to assaults and walk-offs, but this edition promises to be the 'Cup of Firsts'.
The collision of sports and geopolitics has happened before, but not at this scale, with the 1934 World Cup being a showcase for Italy's fascist government and the 1938 tournament bearing a close resemblance to the current global situation.
As the world watches the tournament unfold, one thing is clear: football may still become the 'happiness provider', but it's going to take some doing.
