Bring on the globe’s finest, with the 2026-World Cup.

What happens on the pitch will give us relief from everything that has happened in the weeks leading up to the matches.

The conversation of who will win-is fascinating.

Will it be Spain, a 5-time winner, with so much attention directed at teenage star Yamal and his great teammate Pedri or is this a breakout tourney for sniper Mikel Oyarzabal?

Does France rebound led by the return to health of its own star Kylian Mbappe or will the arrival of the next star Ousman Dembele be a difference maker?

Can Argentina dominate and how healthy will Lionel Messi be, or how long does he hold up?

Does Brazil return to glory and how good is Vinicius-Junior?

Global icon Cristiano Ronaldo may be playing for the final time for Portugal, and what a way to go out with the trophy.

The superb talents of Erling Haaland of Norway, who dominates the English Premier League, will be on full global display as the best goal scorer in the sport at this hour.

England is loaded with legendary Harry Kane and the best of EPL players.

Netherland’s next star has arrived in Memphis Depay.

Team USA has been building for over a decade.  Are there enough young guns to surround Christian Pulisic?

Can Raul Jiminez and 40-year old goalie Ochoa carry the colors of El Tri-Mexico?

Injury and age will also be part of the conversation.  Does Mo Salah-Egypt have anything left?  Can Brazil have a healthy Neymar for its games?  England’s Jude Bellingham’s history of being hurt seems overwhelming.

History shows only teams from Europe and South America have ever hoisted the Golden Trophy.  The legendary powers are ready, but so are the sides from the tiny countries like Iceland, Cape Verde and Curacao.

And because the 48-teams will be playing in 12-groups, and having to deal with heat-humdity-high altitude and travel issues, means there will be alot of variables that are out of control of goal scorers, goaltenders and legendary stars.

But as much excitement that starts with Mexico’s 12-noon game on Thursday or the USA debut game on Friday night, the buzz leading to the kick in start, has been sidetracked by months and weeks of controversy.  

The business and politics of soccer is a stain you cannot wash away. from all things with FIFA’s leadership under its President (Gianni Infantino) to this President (Donald Trump).

The ‘utter betrayal’ with the outrageous ticket prices at all venues, to the changing prices after ticket orders were placed, has offended everyone.  And the image ‘we can set any price we want’ has driven home the idea this is a money grab, and nothing more.

And Trump’s threats to have ICE agents show up at venues, the attempts to charge high prices for visas of fans coming from abroad, the ban on citizens from 39-different nations to be welcome here, to the Iran War and the fallout impacting its team, is disgraceful

It makes you feel FIFA is rife with corruption and the USA is run by a Crime Family.

Will the games inside the stadium be plagued by protests, rallies, incidents, confrontations outside the stadiums?  And how many empty seats will there be in all these venues after the way leadership has mandated its ‘Dynamic pricing’?

The Beautiful Game is upon us.  Thank God for the games and a break from FIFA and Trump.

Play on.

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