World Cup 2022

From the incredible opening of Morgan Freeman and Ghanim Al Muftah to the very last penalty kick, this world cup stole our hearts. The thrill, the excitement, the tears, the cheer. All of it was incredible. It is just a different kind of experience and being able to watch and experience is indeed a privilege. 

The group stages started off with stamina like no other and I watched any game I could between my classes and work. I was surprised to see the United States playing, for one I didn't know they qualified and 2 why do they call it soccer and not football lol. But anyway when I watched them play against Wales I was impressed. They put up a great performance and of course, by nature of me living in the US right now, I was supporting the US team. But more than that when I learned about how far this team has come and how some of them have been playing together since they were young, I really hoped for them to go far in the tournament. I was also excited to see Timothy Weah playing and even scoring. But I couldn't help but wonder why the son of the President of Liberia was playing for the US. But I should know better, citizenship is dynamic and FIFA allowed players who have A Junior connection or full national team caps to switch to other nations. Also, George Weah was a professional football player himself and actually has a ballon d'or to his name. I was also impressed by Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams (the captain of the US team)

Then of course I was rooting for every African Country. Senegal, Tunisia, Ghana, Cameron, and Morocco. One of my biggest dreams is to see an African team win the world cup and each of these teams was close to fulfilling this dream of mine particularly Morocco, they put on some great performances. They made us all smile and gave us so much hope. They really did cement their place in world cup history by being the first African Country to qualify and play in the Semi-finals. I cheered from the top of my lungs and even though I had been supporting France in their previous games, I had to support Morocco when they played against each other. There was no debate, it would have meant a lot for the continent. Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech really store our hearts. 

That Match between Saudi Arabia and Argentina was a match of its own. Now let me tell you, the Saudi coach, Herve Renard was Zambia's coach who carried us through the Africa cup in 2012 until we lifted that trophy and became Africa's football champions, so I was thrilled to see him at the world in his element doing what he knows to do best. That win was terrific and it left us all with mouths wide open and hands bouncing against each other. It was cheerful needless to say. 

Then there was the highly anticipated England Vs United States. This was because of the history between these two countries and how politically and economically powerful they are, it's almost as if the world looks up to them. For some, they took it as a way to finally settle the debate, of whether or not the sport should be called football or soccer. But then the teams drew so I guess the debate lives on lol.

It was sad to see teams pack and go back home. Particularly, some of my friends were sad when Brazil and Neymar lost. It was sad to see Portugal and Ronaldo (G.O.A.T) pack and go home. It was particularly sad to see Ronaldo go home because it was his last world cup and he expressed his sentiments on social media of the world cup being his biggest dream and now having to part ways with the dream. I cannot imagine how tough that was for him and I hope he gets all the support he needs. 

I also felt sad for England's Harry Kane when he missed the penalty. For one, I think there was so much pressure from the team but also because that goal determined their fate at the world cup and him being such a great player he felt the pressure the greatest. I always say that penalties should not be given to great players because of the pressure it comes with but I might be wrong, I am not a coach and those people know the game way better than me so I rest that case.

I have already told you about my dream of me witnessing an African nation win the trophy so seeing Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal, Cameroon, and Morocco pack and go was heartbreaking. I felt the sadness of my fellow Africans on the internet. We all have that hope that maybe one day. I was also sad to see Croatia go simply because a part of me wanted to relive 2018. What nostalgia can do though lol. 

Then came the finals. France Vs Argentina. I was happy to see France as the defending champions in the Final literally defending the cup. And the game was terrific, it was a game of its own. It started crazy though with Argentina scoring a penalty in the early minutes which I think threw France off. Then before we knew it they scored again and at this point, I was crying. I was surprised when Dembélé and Giroud got substituted, these players are arguably two top players for  France but I guess they had to be substituted. At this point, you could see the desperation from France, they were feeling the pressure. Why was I crying you ask? Because I was supporting France in case you haven't figured by now. I am a big Mbappé fan, a Dembélé and Griezmann fan and for some reason I wanted France to win again. Then France got a penalty, and at this point, I couldn't bare the anxiety, the pressure, I had to leave the room because I was scared Mbappé would miss it. I was scared for him, I didn't want to see him in pain. Then when I went back, he had scored not 1 but two goals including the penalty within seconds. I was screaming, am talking screaming my lungs out. I was happy. And those 8 extra minutes were the longest 8  minutes ever. The game was now going into extra time but I planned to go to church at that very time. It was a very difficult decision lol. I love soccer so much. But I had to go to church. On my way there I kept thinking about the match but once I got to church, I tried not to think about it. When the service was done, the score was the first thing I wanted to see but I wanted to wait until I reached home but then I was told that Argentina won. I didn't even want to believe it but it had happened. Argentina was the champions of the Qatar Fifa world cup 2022. And Lionel Messi lifted the trophy. What a moment it was for the (G.O.A.T). I felt bad for Mbappé and the entire French team but I think they still put on a great performance considering they were missing 3 of their top players. And Mbappé, what a player, what a performance, he scored a hat trick, making history on top of history. He won the golden boot. Am glad I experienced this world cup and look forward to the next one in 2026. 

Thank you Qatar

Thank FIFA

And a big thank you to all the players for giving us this wonderful experience

If it's your first time here welcome to Space of thoughts, I hope we learn from each other and grow together. For those who have been here before, it's such a pleasure to have you again.

Please do reach out to me in the comments or write to me directly using the email lcararise@gmail.com