My World Cup Highlights and Lowlights (and no, not the football)

I had a passion for football as a boy, longing for lessons to finish so we could rush outside and kick a ball around. I played for a local team and dreamed of being spotted by a talent scout, signed by a professional club and, who knows, perhaps even playing for England one day.

Primary school days!

I was really quick on the wing. The trouble was, I’d often leave the ball behind or, if I managed to get it all the way to goal, my finishing wasn’t always the best. There were a few classic goals, though, and they certainly helped fuel the dream.

I gave up after my teens, although I briefly tried to return to my former glory with kickabouts at Bible college. Sadly, I was retired early after tearing a tendon on two separate occasions, which also meant I wasn’t much help with our young children for a while!

Back in Kevin Keegan’s heyday, I knew all about the players and the teams. I don’t really follow football anymore, although I’ve been to a few local games to watch my daughter’s partner play for Wick. But every four years I still get excited about the World Cup.

I was born in 1966 and have lived in a country that still looks back to that glorious summer. To date, even though I convince myself it might happen every time, football still hasn’t come home!

So, what about the World Cup that’s just passed? Let me start with a few lowlights before ending with a couple of positives.

A president publicly lobbying FIFA after the USA’s star player received a red card, followed by FIFA’s controversial decision to lift his ban (Mind you, I did rather like the fact that he was a birthright citizen!). Supporters booing during other nations’ national anthems. The level of aggression on the pitch at times, along with the Oscar-worthy acting performances from some players, culminating in ugly scenes after the final when violence erupted involving some members of the losing team.

Then there were the water breaks (OK, they were probably needed, but…) — and the extended half-time break at the World Cup final. As for the entertainment performances, although I really like the artists involved, I tend to agree with Wayne Rooney on this one!

One other moment felt rather awkward: the president appearing to be ushered off the presentation platform so the winning team could finally be photographed without him. It was their moment, after all.

And don’t get me started on the money-making machine football has become. In my parents’ and grandparents’ day, you didn’t need deep pockets just to go and watch the beautiful game.

On what turned out to be England’s best match of the tournament, against France, we’d had the grandchildren staying for a couple of days and I somehow managed to fall asleep before kick-off and missed the whole thing!

So, to the highlights.

I loved some of the affection shown between players from opposing teams—comforting one another after defeat, embracing after the final whistle and showing genuine respect. As others have pointed out, it provided such a welcome counterbalance to the toxic masculinity that can so often dominate online and elsewhere.

The moment that touched me most, though, came after England’s third-place play-off against France, when players from both teams gathered together in a huddle to pray. It was a simple but beautiful reminder that, despite fierce competition, there are things that matter more than winning.

In a tournament that sometimes seemed to highlight division, it was an encouraging picture of unity, respect and shared faith that transcended the result.

(I’ll just sneak this in at the end so hopefully nobody notices… For someone who really disliked VAR when it first arrived, I now have to admit that, at times, it’s actually been really helpful. There, I said it. Please forgive me.)

Oh… and it’s coming home! Well… maybe one day.

Although, come to think of it, it already did. The Lionesses saw to that.

Mike