In a special guest column, Dylan Kerr shares his views on the current World Cup and why you have to love The Beautiful Game.
Football is the most spectator-watched game worldwide. As we head to the semi-finals of the Qatar World Cup I am filled with excitement and angst.
Qatar, from a footballing spectacle, has been fantastic – unexpected results, questionable and controversial VAR decisions and early eliminations all the way to a surprise first African team to reach the semi-finals.
No Germany, no Belgium, no Spain, no Portugal, no Brazil and no it is not coming home England.
Off-the-field politics has not affected my enjoyment of watching this tournament.
Issues have been raised by many people and legitimately so, but for me, the tournament has been a thrill to watch and the facilities in the stadium, along with the pitch have been what look to be amazing.
I may not be a fan of the ”season” from a timing point of view, but as we know, this was to cater for a milder climate.
Just before the first game played between Qatar v Ecuador 20th November, I mentioned on a radio show with Robert Marawa this would become a very different World Cup.
There was little time for Manager’s and Head Coaches to prepare adequately because of the calendar dates of the World Cup. All the best leagues in the world were playing almost right to the start of the World Cup, leaving little time for teams to form a cohesive team to sustain the energy needed to play a tournament of this nature.
This, I believe, levelled the playing field so to speak, and that first shock result of England vs Iran (6-2), followed by Argentina’s defeat by the Saudis (2-1) set that tone.
This continued in the group stages where the best teams in the world, Belgium and Germany were eliminated early especially Belgium who are ranked No 2 in the world.
There has been criticism around Qatar being handed the tournament, with so much to say about why it was a poor choice – from it not being a developing footballing nation, human rights, and many more criticisms.
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I am reminded though of a time both the Belgian FA & Morocco FA had a plan and vision to grow football.
At a CPD event in Scotland some years ago, a few very good coaches from the Belgium FA were speaking about how they had a plan I think was after the World Cup in 2010 to become the leading force in football and they achieved that by having a plan and enforcing that plan.
There’s been much talk this past week about the direction Morocco had their strategic sites set on.
After they set this vision in motion, Morocco have seen phenomenal growth: The CAF, The Confed and the Women’s Afcon Championship winners in 2022.
Now the National team in a semi-final for the first time ever.
That is inspiring to all developing Football Nations around the world.
I have loved and lived for Football for as long as I can remember and made it my career, as a player and a coach. I have observed and participated – new laws, VAR, increase in subs on the bench and as we move towards 2026 more teams to play in the next World Cup tournament.
It is a wonderful, exciting spectator sport with highs and lows, players become heroes, teams become legends. You have got to love this Beautiful Game.
