Lance Neita | Football, anyone?

In spite of the predictions of a global boycott, the fears of US entry restrictions, the quixotic flamboyance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and the disappointment of Jamaica’s absence from the festive board, World Cup will be the main item on the menu when the summer sports calendar kicks off.

The preliminaries went off to a nervous start, but it does seem that the pieces are coming together and all 48 teams and 1,248 players will be heading towards host countries the US, Canada and Mexico for the renewal of the world’s most popular tournament.

The unpredictability of the main host country, the US, can still put a spoke in the wheel, but guess what? The roll-out of teams and players is proving that the game is bigger than any political intervention, and that sports can outplay any card posed in any attempt to upset the most beautiful game.

Our sportsmen and sportswomen continue to represent us as symbols of skills and endurance, and, if only for a moment, they lift us to higher levels that transform our lives from the ordinariness of our daily existence and place us on the same world stage of brilliance and mastery, as exhibited by the legends of the past.

Consider this. Absolutely no nation that qualified has signalled any intention to stay at home. Our neighbour Haiti, beset by near-genocide, poverty, international letdowns, ICE watchdogs, was one of the first countries to name its team!

War-torn Haiti’s qualification for the World Cup reminds of the heroic exploits of the Bosnia Olympic team of 1992 as they fought their way through gunfire, mortar bombing, and sniper attacks in the Serbian War of the 1990s to reach the Barcelona Olympics just in time. They entered the stadium to a standing ovation saluting their bravery and heroism.

Outside of the podium placings, the biggest winner in this year’s World Cup will be Iran, a side dish that President Trump did not order, but nevertheless turning up while at war with the host country and demanding entry at the gate. What a condition, as Dulcima would say. It is this contradictory state of play that will leave an historical imprint on the tournament. Every country lays down arms during World Cup.

What will it be like when Iran gets over there still remains to be seen. It is going to require bravery of a new order for those 11 players on the field under rules laid out by an enemy country, under the watchful eyes of ICE, and with return tickets safely tucked away in their travel bags.

Football will be the highlight of the season, but there are also other summer spectaculars to enjoy, as  we follow Wimbledon in London, the Women’s T20 World Cup hosted by England and Wales, and the Diamond League,  May 16 to September 5, covering 15 meets across 13 countries and where you can count on Jamaica to show up.

Here in the Caribbean, the West Indies men's team will be hosting major home tours featuring Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

To top it off, the 2026 Commonwealth Games is set to take place in Glasgow, from July 23 to August 2.

In all of this the World Cup is unstoppable, and earlier doomsayers like myself, who were concerned about the likelihood of a boycott, can now relax as the game has been trumped by sports.

Never mind that the 2026 competition still faces potential roadblocks, including those enormously high costs for tickets and travel, visa unfriendliness, and the logistical strains of travelling across three countries.

Because here comes Spain, European champions and coming out of an almost perfect qualification, with a robust midfield headed by the duo Rodri and Pedri, and the sensational youngster 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, reporting fit and ready to go.

England is also in the runnings, with hopes hanging on Harry Kane to score his free kicks, and a team full of confidence having finished runners-up in the past two Euros. But I ask you, 60 years ago? They will need luck on their side.

France has succeeded Brazil as Jamaica’s favourite team, with Mbappe, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola as strong contenders, those four making an awesome attacking line-up.

Back in 2022 they were solidly backed by my armchair analyst friends Skyers and Keane, yet they had to bow to Messi and me in what is described as the greatest of all finals.

Imagine, Argentina had their way with two goals in the bag when suddenly, 30 minutes into the second half, France unleashed Mbappe, and the match was never the same again until the Argentinians regained stride and stamped their authority on the game.

Speaking of Argentina, they promise as much excitement on the field as Iran does in the grandstand, and they are determined to repeat their 2022 triumph to give Messi a royal send-off. They won their qualifying group by a big margin, and between Messi and Mbappe, Yamal and Ronaldo, its players like these that make the World Cup go round.

Finally, who can rule out Brazil or Portugal? Brazil, itching to recover from that miserable 7-1 defeat by Germany in 2014, and Portugal, bent on making a lightning strike, with Ronaldo desperately wanting to win a World Cup before retirement.

From my armchair it’s too early to pick a winner. These six teams are already picked by the bookies. But for me, Brazil will always be on my wish list. So, football, anyone? It’s going to be anybody’s guess who is coming to dinner.

Lance Neita is a communications specialist and author. Send feedback to columns @gleanerjm.com and  lanceneita@hotmail.com.