It is World Cup time, football, or soccer as we, NZ and north American know it. The World Cup is this time spread over three countries, the US, Canada and Mexico. I suppose it was the US who bid to host the Cup. Our male team is known as the Socceroos.
The last World Cup was held in Qatar, and was criticised for its exploitation of migrant workers and anti gay laws, with this Socceroo bloke Jackson Irvine who I just found out about today, being very critical at the time, and stood up and said so. Note his rainbow armband.
Because of #47's antics, tourism to the US has dropped significantly. Canadians were the main tourists to visit the US and the numbers of them have dropped anywhere between 20% and 50%, depending on your biased source. The so called Snow Birders, that during the Canadian winter fly to Florida and other warm states, has tumbled, and they are selling their US properties. The threat from #47 to make Canada a state of the US rather upset Canadians, as it would. Imposing and increasing tariffs upset them further.
I could go on, but I'll hand it over to Jackie in Toronto, where some games will be played. Some will played in Vancouver too. Montreal wisely said no to the games, and won't incur the huge cost of hosting games.
Jackie posted this.
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I have no interest in football or the World Cup, but hope that those who follow it will enjoy it. It's disgraceful the way some people are being treated, but hardly surprising.
ReplyDeleteThe world becoming a more hate filled place and making legislation (or just dictating the new rules) for this hate is a very sad situation.
ReplyDeleteWe never had problems like this before you know who showed up
ReplyDeleteI applaud Jackson Irvine for speaking up. Did you know that he played for my club - Hull City? This particular World Cup is disgusting for several reasons - including inflated ticket prices. The FIFA president - Gianni Infantino is a prize **** - just like the bloke he gave the golden peace prize to.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it was astonishing to look from the crowded Canadian side of Niagara Falls to the American side. There was a very obvious difference. It was shocking empty.
ReplyDeleteTwo possible outcomes:
ReplyDelete1:FIFA and the game will die and live on only in memories
2: FIFA and the game will continue but the US will never again be part of it.
Oh, yeah, not a good time to run a souvenir stand in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteNot letting people in for the World Cup would I think create division, such a shame.
ReplyDeleteWell I have always found that kicking a ball around was a waste of energy but I am totally shocked by the callousness of America in their running of the game.
ReplyDeleteThat referee was offered to do it in Vancouver. It's a disgrace how this racist gangster empire threatens and subverts diplomacy and human rights. I would visit the US frequently in the democratic days and worked there for a while too. I haven't done so since a dreadful experience on my way through there to Ireland some years ago. Never went back even for a layover. My friends of colour have banned the place completely. It is toxic.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Its really a shame, the way our country treats people. I live in my own little sphere now of cats and unicorns and butterflies. I have to. My bubble of protection.
ReplyDelete"The United Bid of Canada, Mexico, and the United States was selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™" It was a group effort. A mistake on Canada's part with the VISA issues.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn. I think there is Canadian regret and it is making the best of of a bad and expensive, for the country, job.
DeleteHey, thanks for this, Andrew!! We are enjoying having so many tourists here. Watching the camaraderie on the subway today was fun. Everyone asking everyone where they were from, who they were cheering for. Where they were headed next, couple of Scots heading to NYC, Ghanian just came from game in Boston.
ReplyDeleteP.S. we have no intentions of crossing into the States, although we miss it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with WWW, our friends of colour are definitely taking not taking any chances.