by Ahmed Habib
Iraqi Football fans celebrate in the streets after Iraq’s Asia Cup win”]
For the next two weeks, the world’s footballing masses will have their eyes set on the jewel of nations, the Confederations Cup, taking place in South Africa between June 14-28.
The competition brings together the champions of FIFA’s six confederations, in addition to the World Cup champion, and the host. It is widely regarded as a dress rehearsal for the much bigger, and more prestigious, World Cup, set to take place in South Africa in the summer of 2010.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, three out of the top five ranked teams in the world will compete: Italy, Brazil, and Spain. The footballing festival will also boosted by Iraq and Egypt, who will bring with them the hearts of millions of their ardent supports from Africa and Asia. Rounding off this year’s participation are the United States and New Zealand, making the tournament a real international affair. The hosts, South Africa, will also look to make a statement to the footballing world ahead of them hosting the global tournament next year.
Here is a more detailed look at all eight participants, and what they bring to South Africa, both on and off the pitch.
Italia (FIFA World Cup Champions)
In a country where soccer competes with religion as the national passion, Italy’s participation will be dissected to the most minute detail by its obsessed fans and merciless media. The Azzurri, a name given to the squad in reference to their blue uniforms, were crowned world champions with a disciplined and powerful showing at the last FIFA World Cup, which took place three years ago in Germany. Since then, a poor showing at the Euro cup, has left many of the team’s supporters out in the cold about the destiny of their winning eleven.
The country’s top division in their domestic league, the Serie A, is followed by millions around the world. Richer clubs from the industrial north, such as AC Milan, Internazionale, and Juventus dominate with their star studded squads, but have failed to make an impact on the European stage. No clubs from Italy featured in the later rounds of the UEFA Champions League this year.
Throughout Italy, the country’s footballing authorities have also had to deal with two other issues: racism and violence. A resurgence of fascist elements amongst football supporters rearing their ugly head regularly throughout the season by targeting African players with racist chants, banners, and at times, or more direct acts of hate against the players highlights a frightening trend. More troubling is the fact that some of these fascist manifestations come out from Italian players themselves.
With regards to violence, the Serie A came to a halt this past year after a police officer was killed during fan driven riots. Whether the violence is a result of footballing passions pouring out of the stadium and onto the streets, or if it is a reflection of the frustration that millions of youth and workers feel towards a habitually corrupt government, remains to be answered. To their credit, Italy’s traveling supporters have traditionally been good sports.
Brasil (CONMEBOL Copa America Champions)
In South America’s most populated nation, football is as natural to the earth as the overarching beauty of its rain forests, or the fighting spirit of millions of children that are forced to live on the streets. There are more than 100,000 professional players registered with the Brazilian football federation, making it the world leader in the production of footballing talent. Brazilian coaches and players are featured in leagues and teams all around the world, and are heralded as prized entities in their respective teams. Many national teams race to naturalize Brazilian players to play for their team, such as Portugal, Germany, Tunisia, Qatar, and Japan to name a few.
Brazilian Soccer and Politics: All-time World Cup scoring leader Ronaldo in Palestine
Despite the exodus of many players in pursuit of affluent contracts offered by rich European clubs, the domestic league in Brazil is still highly competitive and operates at very high standards. Scenes from matches featuring clubs like Corinthians, Sao Paulo, and Santos are epic in their madness and sheer size. Brazilian clubs have won world championships several times, and are expected to continue doing so.
There is no doubt that Brazil is one of the favorites tipped to win the Confederations Cup. Brazilian participation in any international competition is received with fear by its opponents, with the Selecao, the national selection, winning more FIFA World Cups than any other nation. It is commonly understood amongst footballing pundits that Brazil can send their reserves, and win any competition in which they compete in. That is exactly what they did when they won the Copa America, by beating a powerful Argentinean side with a batch of mostly new faces.
Brazilian football is adored by millions of people around the people. The Sambaesque flow of their play, empowered by the dignity of a people reaching for the stars, appeals to everyone who loves the beautiful game. Brazilian losses are greeted with tears beyond the borders of their native continent, while Brazilian wins trigger victory celebrations around the globe. It is no doubt that the Brazilian team will once again steal the hearts of their hosts, with open training sessions being packed by adoring South Africans, and stadiums overflowing with love for Brazil.
Espana (UEFA Euro Champions)
A new footballing boss has emerged in Europe. For decades, Spanish fans, obsessed with the beautiful game, have struggled with a string of disappointing results on the international scene. Only recently, has their ill fate been reversed, with a convincing win at the continental level. Spain is a now side feared throughout the world, boosted with the tremendous talents of players like Fernando Torres.
Much like the rest of the world, socio-economic dynamics weave themselves into the game, like the carefully knitted team logos on players’ shirts. Teams in Spain reflect the tumultuous history that has embodied the story of the southern European nation. Barcelona FC, situated deep in the heart of the autonomous Catalonia region, was recently crowned champions of Europe, fulfilling the aspirations of millions of its worldwide following. Barca, as it is known by its most intimate worshippers, is the only major European club that refuses to wear corporate logos on its jerseys. Ironically, its own team logo was recently named as one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. During the war on Iraq, and after the latest Israeli attack on Gaza, fans of Barcelona, used their world stage to show solidarity with people living under the boots of colonialism through disruptions and various symbolism.
The country’s other big club, Real Madrid, admired by the Spanish royalty family, is known for its affluence and deep pockets. The club invented the Galacticos phenomenon that tries to bring in as many of the world’s best and most expensive players onto one team. Recently, Real Madrid signed Brazilian midfielder Kaka and Portuguese playmaker Christiano Ronaldo, as a sign of their commitment to the “buy big” philosophy.
Other teams with political associations include Atletic Bilbao, which stems from the Basque region, an area that has been known for its liberation struggle within the national confines of Spain.
Unfortunately, Spanish football is also riddled with the problem of racism. African players are regularly targeted by fans, sometimes by supporters of their own team. Several matches have been stopped because players walk off the pitch refusing to play under such dehumanizing conditions. The Spanish are touted to win the tournament, but wether or not they can continue their good form remains to be seen.
Masr (CAF African Cup Champions)
Although Egypt have had limited impact in the FIFA World Cup, their African dominance is undeniable. As back to back winners of the African Cup, the Mighty Pharaohs have won the continental cup a total of six times. Their local clubs, Al Ahly and Zamalek, both from Cairo, have won African club competitions more than any other club on the continent.
For Africa’s most populated country, soccer offers much needed space for millions of Egyptians living in dire poverty and under the watchful eyes of their American supported dictatorship. Club rivalries in the country are as intense as the political schisms that dominate Egyptians’ daily lives. Al Ahly’s rivalry with Al Zamalek extends beyond the borders of Egypt and extends deep into the Arab world. Identifying with one club or the other is synonymous with one’s allegiance to a religion or ethnic group.
The Egyptians play a beautiful attacking game, focused on a strong midfield, and capped off with tremendous striking ability up front. Egyptian players are now regular features in major European outfits in countries like England, Germany, and the Netherlands. Players like Amr Zaki and Mohamed Zidan are household names in Europe, and are national heroes in Egypt. Perhaps the most popular player coming out of Egypt is Mohamed Aboutreika, one of Africa’s most talented midfielders. He won the hearts of millions of people around the world when he unveiled an undershirt declaring his solidarity with the people of Palestine during the latest African Cup of Nations. Although his politicized act earned him a fine from the African confederation, he remains adamant that football must be used as a vehicle for change.
The Egyptians won the African Cup with ease, dominating powerhouses like Ivory Coast and Cameroon. Despite recent setbacks in World Cup qualifications, the Egyptians will play with confidence against teams like Brazil and Italy. Their familiarity with African fields, and the support they will receive by legions of their traveling supporters could give them the boost they need to make it to the second round.
Al-Iraq (AFC Asian Cup Champions)
The Lions of the Two Rivers, Euphrates and the Tigris, possibly have more to play for than any of the other teams participating in the tournament. Emerging from occupied Iraq, the Asian champions, carry with them the hopes and aspirations of millions of Iraqis living and dying under the brutality of American rule.
In a country obsessed with football, Iraqis will huddle around television screens and radio sets to follow the exploits of their national team. For those two hours, all the death and destruction consuming the country will seem much more bearable. After Iraq’s unexpected win in the Asian Cup, tens of thousands of Iraqis poured onto the streets to celebrate in defiance of military curfews and a relentless regime of intense violence.
Since the historic win, Iraq have faltered in their pursuit of a World Cup berth. A lack of resources, the absence of a home stadium, and a football federation notorious for its corruption has made it difficult for the Iraqis to compete with more powerful Asian nations like Australia, Korea Republic, and the oil rich countries of the Gulf.
The Iraqi domestic league is just a fraction of what it used to be. Iraqi clubs have recently been demoted from the Asian Champions League to the less prestigious AFC Cup. Club games have also found it difficult to escape the violence raging throughout Iraq. Many games are suspended due to gunfights, and training grounds have been turned into war zones, with some players being murdered during practice.
Despite all the tragedies decorating the beautiful game in Iraq, fans still turn out to stadiums, children play for hours on dirt pitches with makeshift balls, and the national team continues to pose a threat to all of its opponents.
The members of the team, who mostly play outside the country, have a tactical edge on other teams by virtue of their coach. Bora Militunovic was recently appointed to lead Iraq in the Confederations Cup. The Serbian is a coaching legend, being the only manager to lead five different teams in the FIFA World Cup finals.
Iraq’s style is known for its high work rate, bolstered by a strong midfield, and forwards that like to upset the biggest of teams. As such, the Iraqi squad is considered to be one of the favorites to make it out of the first round. However, regardless of what the team accomplishes on the pitch, the positive effects it will have on Iraqi communities at home and around the world will be undeniable.
New Zealand (Oceania Champions)
In a country obsessed with rugby, the All Whites will have to work hard to gain the faithful respect of its fellow countrymen. The Kiwis easily stormed to glory in their confederation, after Australian dominance shifted to the Asian Football Confederation.
The New Zealand squad is mostly made up of players that play in the humble domestic league, but does include some names from European leagues. The All Whites, named after their white kits, have qualified twice before to the Confederations Cup, and once to the FIFA World Cup in 1982.
Despite that, most football analysts regard their participation as merely a formality. For the players, however, they adamantly refuse to be tourists in the Confederations Cup. For them, a good showing at the tournament could mean more financial support and greater media exposure.
In a friendly match against Italy ahead of the tournament, the Kiwis barely lost 4-3, taking the lead at one point. Based on their performance, it seems that the players may have the upper hand in determining the extent of their success in South Africa.
USA (CONCACAF Gold Cup)
Soccer is a sport that is gaining popularity in the United States at a tremendous rate. Spurred on by the success of the American women’s team, and an expanding domestic league, the beautiful game seems to be making ground in a landscape dominated by major league sports.
After hosting the FIFA World Cup in 1994, the USA have been regular participants in the global tournament. Competing in a relatively easy confederation has allowed the United States to move forward to the World Cup with ease.
In addition to the availability of world class venues and training facilities, American soccer is mainly strengthened by its immigrant communities that bring with them a love for the game. The United States must actively pursue programs that break boundaries of racialization and poverty to better utilize the immense wealth of its people.
The USA’s game is quick, attacking minded, and strengthened by top level goalkeeping. American players are highly touted by major European clubs, and have made tremendous achievements in bringing American soccer to the rest of the world.
In a game that weaves contexts more than any other sport, the American team will undoubtedly have to work hard to win the hearts of supporters from around the world, who hold strong views about destructive American foreign policies. An interesting development will be to see if the Americans meet the Iraqis in later rounds, that is if both teams are able to make out of the group stage.
South Africa (Confederations Cup Hosts)
For the hosts, their participation in the tournament has two important implications. Firstly, it will test the country’s facilities in hosting a major tournament, ahead of their much anticipated organization of the World Cup next summer. Secondly, the Bafana Bafana, or “the boys” of South Africa, will use the tournament as an opportunity to send the message that their participation in the next FIFA World Cup isn’t only due to them hosting the tournament, but a deserved right.
South Africa’s selection as hosts of the world’s largest sporting event was part of a concerted effort by FIFA, the game’s governing body, to start holding the tournament in Africa. For the inaugural tournament on African soil to be held in South Africa, also holds tremendous value for the global sporting community which boycotted Apartheid South Africa for almost forty years.
The struggles of South Africa, however, continue. Economic Apartheid still exists, and still manifests itself along racial lines. The organizing committee will divert much needed public funds to build infrastructure for the tournament, but that will do little to service impoverished communities. Gentrification of neighborhoods to compliment stadium building and security crackdowns are also included in the package of hosting a major sporting tournament like the FIFA World Cup,
Despite the injustices, South Africa seems adamant at forging ahead with the tournament. Many doubts loom over the country’s ability to be ready in time for next summer, particularly after a series of stadium tragedies that took the lives of many fans.
On the pitch, the South Africans will be fielding a team comprised of mostly local talent. The burden will be great on a relatively weaker African team to bring joy to millions of people still reeling from the effects of decades of racial Apartheid.
The tournament
The format of the Confederations Cup is based on two groups fair playing a round robin competition. The top two teams will qualify in turn to the semi-finals,
For Canadian viewers, the games will be broadcast on Canada’s underfunded public broadcaster, the CBC. For viewers from around the world, check your local listings.
Ahmed Habib is an Iraqi activist, journalist, and spoken word artist. He is also a creative coordinator with Independent Arabic Media. (http://iammedia.org)
Nice post. i learned many more about the football from this post.
thanks for posting.