The USMNT's 'golden generation' disappointed at the home World Cup, showing flashes of brilliance like a 4-1 win over Paraguay but ultimately collapsing in the knockout stages against Belgium. Despite proving to be the most talented USMNT ever, they failed to capitalize on their potential, leaving their legacy uncertain.
Moroccan fans, including those from Dubai, Montreal, and Morocco itself, have traveled to the US for the World Cup, with many spending thousands of dollars. The high cost of attending the tournament highlights that only the well-off in Morocco can afford to follow their team, as the average salary is less than $7,400 annually.
The author argues that the FIFA World Cup should be decentralized and spread across multiple global cities to prevent authoritarian leaders from using the tournament for image-laundering and to reduce the financial and ethical burdens on host nations.
