7 Comments
User's avatar
ivelis.log's avatar

It’s interesting that opening ceremonies aren’t really designed to impress us as much as they are designed to orient us.

Before the competition begins, they remind us where we are, who is hosting, and what story this tournament wishes to tell about itself.

I like that kind of perspective because it reminds me that football can tell stories in a multitude of ways.

Carla Bilche's avatar

You hit the nail on the head with that one! It has been all about positioning and welcoming both lifelong fans and newcomers.

It actually makes me think that the reason people are feeling opposed to FIFA right now is because they are shifting away from this, prioritizing pure revenue and entertainment over that traditional storytelling

ivelis.log's avatar

I think you’ve touched on something important here.

Sport needs revenue, of course, but the World Cup has always been at its best when it feels like a shared story rather than a product. Fans can forgive many things, but they rarely forgive feeling like participants in a marketing exercise.

People don’t just remember winners. They remember myths.

Carla Bilche's avatar

100%. Their main challenge is to find a balance (and prioritize their natural audience)

ivelis.log's avatar

Couldn’t agree more! 🙂

Suriname's Sports Journal's avatar

is a bird? Ais a plane? It looks like Casper ‘, lol

Carla Bilche's avatar

Haha, yes! I remember a lot of people making that exact comparison when it was first revealed. It’s actually meant to represent a traditional Middle Eastern headdress (the keffiyeh).