Recommendations of the Editorial team
Dig the colored pencils out of the basement and put the boxes cold because it’s time for the World Cup. Germany wins the first preseason game 4-0 against Finland, and Deniz Undav performs so well that even Nagelsmann can no longer deny it. It smells like a great summer – a summer in which “Cheers to Us” by Andreas Bourani and the Sportfreunde Stiller are once again experiencing their second renaissance. A summer of fan festivals like the fan mile at the Brandenburg Gate and… wait. As of June 2nd, there are still 9 days until the World Cup, and neither stages have been set up nor meetings announced. The fan mile in front of the Brandenburg Gate has been canceled and everyone is talking about a boycott. So what can we expect at the World Cup? Why does it feel different this time – and where can you watch Julian Nagelsmann trying to explain that Deniz Undav isn’t as good as everyone thinks?
The kick-off times
Anyone who had already prepared themselves to commit working time fraud and watch Congo against Uzbekistan in the toilet will unfortunately have to be disappointed. Because this high-profile event takes place at 1:30 a.m. Central European Time. A World Cup on another continent generally brings with it interesting kick-off times: everything in the group phase is from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the morning. This means that the German employee can concentrate fully on the numbers when formatting Excel tables – but it also assumes that the neighbor is not a fan of Turkey, Ghana, Morocco or the USA. While FIFA attaches great importance to scheduling games from countries with high audiences at the most convenient broadcast times, Turkish fans can look forward to kick-off times of 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 in the morning. Germany, on the other hand, plays its games at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The best thing to do is to ring the neighbor’s doorbell and ask which team your heart beats for – so that you can have Oropax inserted into your ear canal in time on the appropriate days.
48 nations, countless points of friction
The probability that the opponent’s nationality will be represented at this World Cup is particularly high this time – unless pizza is the national dish. Because the group phase was increased from 32 to 48 participants. In addition, the World Cup this year presents some geopolitical friction points. A World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA offers not only footballing but also politically explosive pairings. With countries like Iraq and Iran taking part in this World Cup, the tournament could develop into a lived-in South Park episode. Fortunately, the incumbent US President always finds the right words: He warmly welcomes the Iranian national team, but does not consider it appropriate for their own safety that they even compete. The FIFA Peace Prize winner will have everything under control. What could possibly go wrong when 48 nations enter a country with such open borders?
New format, new rules
Since FIFA always adapts to the traditions of the host countries, there are also some innovations in game operations. In addition to the first half-time shows in World Cup history, there will be scheduled drinking breaks after the 22nd minute of each half – the perfect moment to get the word out. In addition, the VAR will have more powers and breaks after treatments will be mandatory in the future.
But where do you watch the games once the teams have made it to the stadium alive? How about Tipico – the friendly sports betting provider next door? Betting addicts are rewarded with a free broadcast of all games. At least that’s what it was said before Tipico took the announcement off the website after a few hours and also left FIFA confused. The Germans, on the other hand, can rely on their tried and tested channels ARD and ZDF – i.e. on 60 of the 104 games, depending on the ratings potential. Alternatively, you can use YouTube, where all games are broadcast – but only the first 15 minutes. If you watch longer, you can switch to MagentaTV: All games are actually shown here, but with Tom Kaulitz as a “fan expert”. You just have to make compromises everywhere.
Late games, relaxed rest periods
Anyone who has overcome the hurdles of the World Cup – both geopolitical and organizational – can look forward to a government exemption this year. In order to still be able to celebrate the late kick-off times, rest periods are suspended for games with kick-off times up to and including 10:00 p.m. Anyone who wants to enjoy the German games in the old tradition with a bratwurst and a warm beer can do so in peace and quiet. The only question that remains is whether Germany will beat its group opponents Ivory Coast, Curaçao and Ecuador with Neuer in goal – and whether the old black, red and gold pencils from the basement are still painting at all.