By Wen Ying Fan Your hands are tied up behind your back, only your feet and head are available for use. Take the ball with you and sprint towards the goal—welcome to the world of football. While most Taiwanese are still swooning over Beckham’s charm, football has long been the passion of many European and South American nations.? Events such as the FIFA World Cup hold special significance to countries that devote themselves entirely to the sport. Hopefully, with more exposure to the game and the coming of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the popularity of the game will increase in Taiwan. Football, more commonly known as soccer in the United States, is arguably the most popular sport in the world. Of the seven continents, Europe and South America are fiercely attached to the game and Africa is sinking deeper into the excitement. Having developed the modern version of football, England lives up to its name as its initiator and has established around 40,000 affiliated clubs playing in 2,000 leagues. Her neighbors such as Germany, Italy, and Spain have also formed leagues that fight to compete on the international level. The winning team of a major cup acquires instant honorary status and is worshipped by the people. Spreading through the media, superstars gain public fame quickly and are even transformed into role models for society.
Oftentimes, however, the game goes beyond the framework of the sport alone, more so in South America and Africa.? The countries in these regions are financially incapable of buying the equipment necessary for games like tennis, baseball, and basketball. Football’s simplicity becomes alluring, requiring only spacious areas and a ball.? This game offers them a chance to compete equally, and perhaps even win and increase their self-esteem. Maradona of Argentina and Pele of Brazil and many others have brought real change to their impoverished communities and have marked their own place in history because of their extraordinary talents in football. As in South American countries, Africa has welcomed the sport wholeheartedly. The game is not only a source of entertainment and pleasure, it also distracts the people from poverty, political instability, and many other problems that are tearing the continent apart. On the field, all religious conflicts and financial crises dissolve; their world narrows down to the point where only the field and the ball exist. When Roger Milla sent Cameroon to the quarter-finals in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the furthest any African country had gotten, the entire nation was bursting with pride, hailing him as a national hero. These accomplishments boost their confidence, giving them hope of excelling in an area.? Many African governments recognize this shared enthusiasm and manipulate it to their advantage, especially during voting periods.? Football has the power to fill in the gaps between people and unite them toward a common goal. What better stage is there than the FIFA World Cup if one strives to be known as “the World’s Number One” This internationally acclaimed competition, held every four years, receives the most publicity. A cumulative total of 30 million viewers, whether they are in a stadium or at home in front of the television, watch the games. The next FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in Germany next year.? Preliminary games have already begun, but the final list of qualified teams has yet to be determined. Tickets have been on sale since February of this year and are still available. If you are interested and want to experience first hand football’s consuming charm, it’s a good idea to book accommodations and plane tickets in advance as they are in great demand. The overwhelming turnout for every FIFA World Cup is one obvious indication of football’s undeniable appeal. The game’s roots lie deep in rural, urban, impoverished, and working class areas around the world—truly a game for all. Within the stadium, cultural differences, political agendas—everything—is forgotten. What matters most is the passion pulsating in the players, and the dreams of the audiences that surround them. a
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May 2024
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