Match 9 - Hup Holland Hup
Reuters is reporting that only 765K fans have visited Qatar, well below the pre tournament prediction of 1.2M. The estimated average visitors for every World Cup since 1994 has been around 3M. At best, this tournament will have attracted a third of that. And yet, they’ve spent more than all of those World Cups combined. Yes, it’s an excuse to build up infrastructure, to kickstart their global aspirations, but it’s a fascinating economic waste. I’ve been genuinely surprised how well it’s been coordinated on the ground, but clearly having only two-thirds of the anticipated attendance (and that is only a third of the normal attendance) has helped Qatar pull it off. I’m glad this is the likely end of an era of mega-events forcing communities to host their needs, versus adapting to the community that will be hosting them. From a sustainability perspective, both environmentally and economically, this is the only feasible route forward.
This lack of attendance (due to a variety of factors) has been both advantageous and disadvantageous for those of us who attended / are attending. On one hand, the compact nature of the tournament allows us to go watch more football. Which is pretty amazing. I mean, I only did one double header. But most everyone I’ve met has at least done one, and I know people who have seen 15+ matches already. They’ve effectively attended 25% of the whole 64 game tournament! Seeing literally every stadium, team, or superstar in one place is just unparalleled.
But… this lack of attendance comes with a sorry lack of global mixing. And this World Cup heavily misses its typical national passion that fans bring. Yes, certain nations like Mexico, Argentina, and England, have shown up in massive numbers, but the majority of the field has been noticeably missing. The most hardcore fans have shown up, but without the next tier of fan who can fill up the entire supporters section, it feels noticeably quiet. Generic waves and chants happen at every match, but without the overwhelming national flavor of the participating teams. The only exception being Morocco, who is hard to deny as the true darling of the competition. While this is partially an issue with the inclusion of the North African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian nations flocking to the games due to easy access, those spectators are likely taking seats that the nations couldn’t fill with their own citizens (due to distance, logistics, price, and boycotts).
I look forward to the 2026 World Cup, where I expect the attendance to be both much more representative of participants and simultaneously diverse (albeit probably more expensive). Finally got an official Budweiser! It was at a hotel hosting the Brazil team. One of the cheapest alcoholic beverages I could find. $9.61.
Netherlands v. Argentina
Well I wrote that spiel before the match kicked off… and that’s all nonsense now, though I did write that Argentina showed up, and boy did they.
There were at most a 1,000 Dutch fans there. Probably 60,000 Argentine fans of varying levels. But wow, did they bring the noise. I haven’t been to such a loud sporting event… maybe ever. This is what the World Cup is about. The Argentines were raucous. They have a bunch of songs, no chanting their country name, it’s all much more than that. Many of these crowd chants involve jumping up and down, and an open palm / arm fist pumping (sorta like a fascist looking repetitive first down maneuver), that looks exhausting. They brought an incredible atmosphere, and even though the Dutch lost, I’m happy they will continue to bring their energy to the next round.
Quick tangent, many of the North African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian fans do not like to stand whilst watching. They are often very upset when they are forced to because of the people around them. It does have some classist energy, a mentality of, I paid a lot to sit comfortably, not stand and crane my neck. I’m not sure they understand what one of the best parts of football is, the atmosphere the fans bring, that really can only be done on their feet. If they really want to sit, then go get Category 1 tickets. Poor stewards had to deal with their ire, and the ambivalence of the hardcore fans at every match I’ve been to.
This match had it all. This match was worth the flight, worth the planning. Honestly it finally feels like the World Cup. Proudly repping orange, I shot off texts to my consortium of Dutch friends; Becks (of course), Amber, and Daan. The trip there on the metro was loud. Surrounded by a sea of white and light blue, we watched the end of the Brazil match on strangers’ phones. News would reverberate around the train dependent on speed of service, with chants of Messi at the demise of their rivals.
This is football. Stay until the end of the match. I know there’s traffic, but it’s fine. 5 guys two rows ahead of us, for whom I have little sympathy for, left at the 80th minute. They missed a two goal comeback from Wout Weghorst (definitely on the list of new jerseys I’m going to get when I return, Nicole aptly said, “Giraffe have feet too!”.), extra time, and penalties. Wow. With just seven minutes of regulation left, it escalated and went the distance… I was hopping. Bouncing. Goosebumps. Shaking. I needed to sit down at points just to prevent my knees from buckling.
We sat in the Dutch end, which happened to be where they took the penalties. It was a heartbreaking way to lose, and I didn’t appreciate the way some of the Argentines celebrated the win (if you do that, the only acceptable outcome is a fight, it’s just bad sportsmanship), but I really appreciate the epic match. I’ll be rooting for the Croatians in the next round, though a Messi / Ronaldo finale would be incredible.
