Despite FIFA and Qatar, World Cup is proving a force for good
It's Saturday, which means we've officially kicked off the round of 16 at soccer's biggest event.
Bad news: The U.S. men's team is headed home, knocked out of the World Cup after a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands. Good news: Despite a troubled FIFA and autocratic Qatar, the World Cup is proving itself a force for good. Really.
The World Cup is breaking through and could be a catalyst for change, writes Dan Carney. Not the World Cup of false equivalencies preached by FIFA, but the World Cup as it is actually happening, with real people playing soccer to the best of their abilities, much to the delight of billions. The evidence is that it is having some undeniable positives.
Its biggest impact could be in China, the mega-country once thought to be on an arc toward democracy but which has recently swung in the opposite direction. Iran is another place where the World Cup appears to be having an impact. Protests there have been going on since September and have, like in China, picked up in recent days. Read the full column here.
What you may have missed this week
►Should Jeff Bezos buy the Washington Commanders? Nothing in his track record makes the Amazon founder a candidate for ownership who would support or lead the charge for a break with the NFL’s past on race.
►Contributor Khamsone Sirimanivong celebrated her birthday this year by returning to Laos, the country of her birth. And helping to clear unexploded bombs when she got there.
►'Tis the season, and columnist Rex Huppke shares his guide to outdoor Christmas decorations. Your holiday yard decor must capture the true spirit of the season while also putting your neighbors’ holiday yard decor to shame. Peace on Earth is great. But winning is everything.
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