We are less than a month away from the start of the FIFA World Cup. Today is also the 2nd anniversary of my darling Papa passing away. Those of you who love football as much as I do might imagine the emotions travelling through my mind as I write this.
It will be my first World Cup without my dad. As much as it feels unbearable, the sorrow of his passing also transcends me and pushes me to continue his legacy of excellent sport commentary.
I used to post his best quotes on Twitter. I would call him before the game, during the break and after the game. The crescendo of his excitement, the intelligence of his analysis, and his ever-new, ever-sharp punchlines were worth all the phone credits I spent.
What Renaud, my dad, taught me: football is travel, football is immigration, football is politics, football is pop culture, football is history. Football is everything.
So basically, football is female.
Football connects all the dots.
Football is the game of the people, despite being taken over by corporations. Football is, and always will be, a prime source of human emotion.
This is my third World Cup in person: France 98, Brazil 14, Mexico 26. I do think having XX chromosomes makes it a challenge to be seen as relevant.
Hatred and sexism should have dissolved in passion for the sport. They did not. But football fills you up. So give a chance to my voice, give a chance to my high pitch, for they will remind you of your own screams when a goal is scored. Give a chance to the voice of my father carried through me. Give a chance to my unique read of the game for the next few weeks.
Bet on it. Like you bet on: Romário, Rivaldo, Neymar and their arched legs Short-ass Messi Quiet Zidane Purely technical Totti Half-deaf Rooney Pelé, or was he just a ballerina? Scared Ribéry And the list goes on, and on and on.
All of the misfits. A game of misfits.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is female. I will be watching. I hope you follow my tracks. I might be offside sometimes, but I play fair.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Misfits, Politics, and the Inheritance of Football
Fathers, misfits and the politics of the beautiful game. A personal essay before the World Cup kicks off.
We are less than a month away from the start of the FIFA World Cup. Today is also the 2nd anniversary of my darling Papa passing away. Those of you who love football as much as I do might imagine the emotions travelling through my mind as I write this.
It will be my first World Cup without my dad. As much as it feels unbearable, the sorrow of his passing also transcends me and pushes me to continue his legacy of excellent sport commentary.
I used to post his best quotes on Twitter. I would call him before the game, during the break and after the game. The crescendo of his excitement, the intelligence of his analysis, and his ever-new, ever-sharp punchlines were worth all the phone credits I spent.
What Renaud, my dad, taught me: football is travel, football is immigration, football is politics, football is pop culture, football is history. Football is everything.
So basically, football is female.
Football connects all the dots.
Football is the game of the people, despite being taken over by corporations. Football is, and always will be, a prime source of human emotion.
This is my third World Cup in person: France 98, Brazil 14, Mexico 26. I do think having XX chromosomes makes it a challenge to be seen as relevant.
Hatred and sexism should have dissolved in passion for the sport. They did not. But football fills you up. So give a chance to my voice, give a chance to my high pitch, for they will remind you of your own screams when a goal is scored. Give a chance to the voice of my father carried through me. Give a chance to my unique read of the game for the next few weeks.
Bet on it. Like you bet on: Romário, Rivaldo, Neymar and their arched legs Short-ass Messi Quiet Zidane Purely technical Totti Half-deaf Rooney Pelé, or was he just a ballerina? Scared Ribéry And the list goes on, and on and on.
All of the misfits. A game of misfits.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is female. I will be watching. I hope you follow my tracks. I might be offside sometimes, but I play fair.
More like this?
The Savant Shortlist.
A curated monthly dose of lifestyle, culture, and rhythm from San Miguel.
Victoire Sidhoum
You may also like
Ancient Ritual, Modern Hospitality: How TONANA and Casa Hoyos Are Honoring DÃa de Muertos
Casa Dragones and Mestiz Team Up for This Year’s DÃa de Muertos Altar
La Calaca: The Festival That Put San Miguel’s Day of the Dead on the World Map
Ancient Ritual, Modern Hospitality: How TONANA and Casa Hoyos Are Honoring DÃa de Muertos
Casa Dragones and Mestiz Team Up for This Year’s DÃa de Muertos Altar