Let’s first explore the etymology of the two synonymous words that define this simple, beautiful game described as “the ballet of the masses”. Which is the more appropriate word, ‘football’ or ‘soccer’? The original pristine term is “football” which, over time, has mutated to being called “soccer,” another word coined by the British to differentiate it from “rugby football”. The newer term is now widely favoured, and has certainly helped the Yanks distinguish between their brutal game known as “American football” and the sublime sport celebrated in the civilised world. 

As almost six billion viewers chomp at the bit in anticipation of the greatest sporting event on earth – the Soccer World Cup 2026 jointly hosted by Mexico, USA and Canada – that is a few days away, it’s time we put a lid, albeit briefly, on our abiding tragedies.

The 39-day long soccer spectacle will hopefully provide the joyful distraction and therapeutic salve that will enable the sports lovers among us to set aside the wars, the putrescent politics and the scary economic and social ferment in the country.

The World Cup comes at a time when the torrid heat and water scarcity everywhere saps our spirits even as our ‘supreme leader’, instead of setting his house in order, bombards us with boy-scout advice to provide water for the birds, lend a helping hand to the thirsty and keep ourselves hydrated. 

To add to our brimming cup of woes, on the cusp of this eagerly anticipated soccer fest, the Modi regime has sabotaged NEET, CBSE and CUET, throwing the entire education system into turmoil.

As a consequence, the young who are the most fervid fans of the World Cup, will be bogged down by re-tests and fears about their future at a time when they should be celebrating the upcoming soccer fiesta. Tragically, in our upside-down world run by not very competent people, all this is par for the course.

Let’s face it: as a nation we neither value soccer nor are good at it. It wasn’t always so. I’m ancient enough to remember the........

© The Wire