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SCMP Editorial

After days of geopolitical summitry from the G7 to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to the Trump-Kim meeting in Singapore, sport could provide light relief from the world of trade wars and nuclear proliferation.
The Fifa World Cup finals, which kick off tonight at 11pm Hong Kong time, could not be better timed. The eyes of hundreds of millions will turn to Russia as the action begins with the hosts playing Saudi Arabia in the opening group match.

Chinese soccer fans and tourists will be strongly represented among visitors to the neighbouring country. Sadly, China’s soccer players will not. They are missing from the 32 finalists, who include five from the Asian region.
The wish of President Xi Jinping for China to qualify for another World Cup after its sole appearance in 2002, let alone to host the finals, and win them within 30 years, remains unfulfilled.
World Cup 2026 voting precedent could hurt China’s hosting hopes
The huge investment in the development of the game to realise these goals is yet to pay dividends on the pitch. Russia has been preparing for this day since 2010 when Fifa awarded it the right to stage the 2018 finals. President Vladimir Putin promised on that occasion racism would not be a problem.
Fifa World Cup fantasy football 2018 picks and tips – who should I choose?
Then at the 2016 Euro finals in France, hundreds of Russian hooligans attacked England supporters. Visiting journalists have also reported racist chanting at black players from spectators.
Anti-racism activists have not ruled out a scenario where an African World Cup team will walk off the pitch in the face of racist jeers and taunts.

Certainly, Putin apparently felt strong action against hooliganism was necessary before kick-off, and reports from Moscow say hundreds have been rounded up or warned to ensure unsavoury incidents do not tarnish the president’s showpiece.
Incidents that marred the last World Cup in Brazil, such as the suspension of a player for biting an opponent, theatrical feigning of injury and abuse of referees, gave cause to reflect on the description of soccer as “the beautiful game”.
Corruption scandals in Fifa haven’t helped. This is the sport’s chance to redeem itself. Racism would dash that hope. Regardless, World Cup fever is here. It will keep fans up late and in the early hours. We trust that within reason, bosses will turn a blind eye to an outbreak of heavy eyelids and bloodshot eyes.


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Fifa World Cup 2018

Fair play the goal as World Cup kicks off

Whether on the pitch or off it, it’s important that the eagerly awaited soccer spectacle hosted by Russia is remembered for all the right reasons

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attend a gala concert, dedicated to the upcoming World Cup, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

epa06805407 Argentinian fans enjoy themselves in Moscow, Russia, 13 June 2018. The FIFA World Cup 2018 will take place in Russia from 14 June till 15 July 2018. EPA-EFE/ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE

A statue in front of Central Stadium in Yekaterinburg, Russia on Wednesday. The FIFA World Cup will take place in Russia starting Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Fifa World Cup 2026 voting precedent could hurt China’s hosting hopes due to Hong Kong and Macau links

China dreams of one day hosting the World Cup. Photo: EPA

China's forward Wei Shihao (#20) battles for the ball with South Korea's defender Choi Chulsoon (#2) during the men's football match between South Korea and China at the EAFF E-1 football championship in Tokyo on December 9, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Toru YAMANAKA

President of the United States Football Association Carlos Cordeiro (R, front), Mexican Football Federation President Decio De Maria (2nd L) and President of the Canadian Soccer Association Steven Reed (L) celebrate after the announcement, that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, during the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

Fifa World Cup fantasy football 2018 picks and tips – which players should I choose?

Fifa’s World Cup fantasy football game has been launched. Here’s how you can get a head start. Photo: AP

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 14, 2017 Denmark's midfielder Christian Eriksen celebrates with Denmark's midfielder Thomas Delaney (L) after scoring their third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying football match, second leg, between Republic of Ireland and Denmark at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. / AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITH

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Germany vs Saudi Arabia - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - June 8, 2018 Germany's Timo Werner in action REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

epa06792045 Portugal's Bernardo Silva (R) in action against Algeria's Mokhtar Benmoussa (L) during the International Friendly soccer match between Portugal and Algeria at Luz Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 June 2018. EPA-EFE/JOSE SENA GOULAO

Germany's midfielder Joshua Kimmich (L) and Saudi Arabia's midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari vie for the ball during the international friendly football match between Germany and Saudi Arabia at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, western Germany, on June 8, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Patrik STOLLARZ

England's Kieran Trippier kicks the ball during a friendly soccer match between England and Nigeria at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kicks the ball out during the International friendly football match between England and Nigeria at Wembley stadium in London on June 2, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL

Brazil's striker Gabriel Jesus is pictured during the International friendly football match between Brazil and Croatia at Anfield in Liverpool on June 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF

Opinion

Whether on the pitch or off it, it’s important that the eagerly awaited soccer spectacle hosted by Russia is remembered for all the right reasons


Fifa corruption scandal

Fifa

Fair play the goal as World Cup kicks off

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Whether on the pitch or off it, it’s important that the eagerly awaited soccer spectacle hosted by Russia is remembered for all the right reasons

Whether on the pitch or off it, it’s important that the eagerly awaited soccer spectacle hosted by Russia is remembered for all the right reasons