Expansion and political influence have made soccer’s showpiece too big for one region to handle responsibly
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n retrospect, the 2018 World Cup in Russia looks like a gentle genuflection, a dainty little bow before its strongman leader. Vladimir Putin and his Russian project of gradual conquest were most definitely centered and validated eight years ago: the tournament showcased his nation and awarded its leader prominence of place.
This summer, we will see something altogether different, as the runup to this edition of the world’s biggest and most popular sporting event has become a monument to Donald Trump.
The 2034 edition is going to Saudi Arabia, in spite of its dubious human rights record, offering the country’s de-facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, the chance to remake his image and that of the kingdom. Fifa has signaled a reluctance to create independent oversight of the treatment of Saudi Arabia’s migrant workers, suggesting the construction of the tournament’s stadiums could be every bit as lethal as they were for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
