Fifa President Gianni Infantino said on Saturday it was time to stop talking about politics, and that “when the ball rolls” everyone will focus on football.
It didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, Monday started with headlines about Fifa threatening to punish European captains if they go ahead with their plan to wear a pro-inclusion armband in their first games. The group of teams, comprising England, Wales and the Netherlands, backed down, but only after uttering a few terse words about world football’s governing body.
The Dutch Football Association said: “Together with the other countries involved, we will take a critical look at our relationship with Fifa in the coming period.”
England opponents Iran also made headlines off the pitch. The team remained silent during the pre-match national anthem, seen by many as a protest against Tehran’s regime. Fans in the crowd whistled and jeered throughout the anthem. Then Iran coach Carlos Queiroz called on fans to leave politics out of the World Cup so the players could focus on football. “Let the children play the game,” he said.
To watch Tuesday: the return of the champions, but without Benzema
Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema is injured © AP
On Tuesday, we’ll get our first look at champions France as they take on Australia in the late kick-off match. Les Bleus start the tournament as the third favorite, behind Brazil and Argentina.
History is not on their side – no country has won a World Cup in a row since 1962, while four of the last five champions have lost in the first round of the following tournament.
France enter this competition with only one victory in six and affected by the injuries of several key players. Midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté are absent, as is Karim Benzema, who was recently voted the best player in the world. Doubts remain about a few others.
The loss of Benzema is a blow. At 34, the Real Madrid centre-forward is in the form of his life. Last year, he scored 27 goals in 32 Spanish league appearances and had 12 assists. In the Champions League – which Real won again – he scored 15 times in just 12 appearances. No wonder he won the Ballon d’Or.
It might be hard to find a silver lining, but could all these setbacks for France turn out to be a blessing in disguise? The French are used to following success with overconfidence. With an improvised midfield and the absence of Benzema, the spirits will perhaps be more concentrated. With Kylian Mbappé in the lead, France will always be a formidable opponent for everyone.
Read Simon Kuper’s full preview of the France squad here.
Tuesday’s fixture list:
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia, 10:00 a.m. UK time / 1:00 p.m. Doha time.
Denmark vs Tunisia, 1pm UK time / 4pm Doha time
Mexico vs Poland, 4:00 p.m. UK time / 7:00 p.m. Doha time
France vs Australia, 7:00 p.m. UK time / 10:00 p.m. Doha time
Monday’s highlight: England galloping to victory against Iran
Bukayo Saka celebrates England’s second goal against Iran © Reuters
Gareth Southgate’s men have started this World Cup campaign the same way they started the previous one. England beat Iran 6-2 and would have tied the opening game 6-1 against Panama in Russia four years earlier had it not been for an Iranian penalty on the blow of full time. In 2018, they kept losing every time they played well against someone.
Monday was a useful confidence-building exercise for a team that lacked form. Arsenal striker Bukayo Saka, with two goals, was named man of the match, while Jude Bellingham led the midfield with precision and composure well beyond his 19 years.
England looked confident and carried a threat everywhere. But they will face better sides than Iran and will have to tidy up a few things if they are to face a serious challenge this time around.
Read Simon Kuper’s full analysis of England’s win here.
Monday’s results:
England 6 Iran 2
Senegal 0 Netherlands 2
United States 1 Wales 1
