Blog
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When we think of the World Cup, we usually picture moments like match shifting goals, certain favorite players, and unforgettable moments that you can picture exactly where you were when you were watching it, and much of that spectacle is shaped by the tournament itself. The 1970 World Cup in Mexico is often remembered as a turning point in how the world experienced soccer. As the ESPN article by Mauro Diaz recounts, “Mexico 1970’s colorful innovations and historic landmarks put world soccer under a whole new lens,” introducing several elements that became essential to the modern…
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The video about Pelé really helped to open my eyes and show me how much of an impact Pelé had on the World Cup success Brazil had. I have always viewed soccer as a team sport and believed that since there are eleven players on the pitch, it is hard for one specific player to stick out and be the heart of the team. But when I saw some of the video clips of Pelé playing on the international stage, I realized that it was possible for one player to completely take over the game. The…
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The ESPN article on Argentina’s Dirty War and the reading on the 1962 World Cup in Chile both focus on how countries use the World Cup to present a positive national image to the world, even when serious political or social problems exist at home. A shared theme across these readings is that hosting the World Cup allows governments and national leaders to promote unity and progress, but the reality on the ground often tells a more complicated story. An example of this appears in Argentina’s 1978 World Cup. According to the ESPN article, the military…
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The FIFA World Cup has changed from just being a sporting activity to a significant cultural and political phenomenon. I have come to understand and appreciate how the tournament has come to symbolize and promote technological advancements and changes in how the world views football. All these have come to make soccer a significant part of modern culture, and how it is played and celebrated across the world. It also showcases how the sport can unity so many countries together as well. Although the module helped me become familiar with the technical development of the World…
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FIFA events generate lots of revenue. Between sponsors, players, communities, and vendors, these tournaments offer significant economic benefits. The article we read this week covered the 1966 tournament and the 1994 World Cup. A major part of this reading is understanding the “swarm” theory. The theory states that the FIFA brand is like a hive. Whenever a tournament begins, vendors, services, and committees have to get involved to ensure a successful game; these are compared to bees. The theory states that when a tournament starts, it’s comparable to a new hive being built. All the organizations,…
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Reading Bowman with Brian Phillips, the Pelé video, and Dubois made me realize that the World Cup is about way more than just skill on the field. It’s really about race, national identity, and how countries and players are judged in front of the whole world. Brazil is probably the best example of this because its soccer identity has always been pulled in different directions. Bowman explains that by the mid-twentieth century, the World Cup had become a way for countries to show they were modern, disciplined, and deserving of respect. For Brazil, that meant pressure…
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This year [2018], there will be two additional African teams in the competition: France and Belgium. -Laurent Dubois in Afro-Europe in the World Cup Within the last few decades, Africa has established itself as a football powerhouse. The 2010 World Cup, held in South Africa and the politics surrounding the choice, serves as evidence of this fact. Yet, as football’s foothold has grown in the continent, so has Africa’s foothold on the sport outside the continent grown. The quote above is evidence embodies this idea. France and Belgium, two European teams, had been dubbed “African teams”…
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What stood out to me from both readings were two completely different things but I personally believe are very interesting. I do have many thoughts from the readings. The first came from chapter six of Golazo! I understand in this time period how xenophobia was prevalent. But why? It is obviously self explanatory. Its racism and a superiority complex. With The World cup as History, I see a transitional period from war to seeking economic power. And that is what Brazil was trying to do. It sought to not only take over the game of soccer,…
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The readings all look at the idea that the World Cup isn’t just a soccer tournament, it is a stage where countries find out identity, race, power, and money. In the Diamonds in the rough reading, the author uses Pele and Garrincha to show two different sides of Brazilian football. Pele became the global icon closely tied to sponsorships and Garrincha feels like the opposite, deeply connected to ordinary fans. By setting this contrast during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the article suggests that Brazil feels split. There’s pride in hosting the world cup, but also…
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The readings for this week as well as the video for the Brazilian player Garrincha highlighted a particular common thread amongst themselves. Race and ethnicity plays a massive part in the evolution of soccer as a sport and the diversity of national teams has created superstars that are both revered and despised simultaneously. In countries in Europe as well as South America, there was debate over the inclusion of players of different races on the national teams that would be sent to compete in the World Cup. The inclusion of important players to national teams such…
