By Dr. Tariq Sami Khoury After following the latest edition of the World Cup, I arrived at an unexpected realization: I have lost a significant portion of the joy of watching the tournament. In the past, World Cup days felt like national holidays. We waited hours for matches, arranged our schedules around kickoff times, and lived every minute with intense passion. Today, I found myself watching matches only if time permitted, rather than ensuring I didn't miss a single moment. In fact, after the final match, I went to sleep before the coronation ceremony—something unimaginable during any previous edition. Searching for Answers I asked myself: Why has this feeling changed? The answer I reached is simple, yet profound: elite football clubs have stripped the World Cup of much of its magic. When you watch top-tier football throughout the season—featuring clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, as well as Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and others—you are weekly exposed to the absolute highest quality of football in the world. These fixtures feature a rapid tempo, immense technical execution, and tactical showdowns no less thrilling than any tournament final. Tactical Synergy: Club vs. Country Daily Chemistry: Players spend the vast majority of their time with their clubs, training together daily and achieving peak levels of tactical alignment and understanding. Short National Windows: National teams gather only for brief, intermittent periods. Consequently, international matches often lack the quality, pace, and fluid entertainment found in elite club football. A Changing Football Landscape The World Cup is no longer the sole pinnacle of football as it was decades ago; it has become a major stop within an overcrowded football calendar dominated by giant clubs. This reality does not diminish the World Cup's historical stature or prestige, but it explains why the unbridled passion for it has waned among many football enthusiasts. While opinions may vary, I emerged from this edition with a clear conviction: top global clubs did not just claim the players—they stole a portion of the World Cup's prestige and charm. Website: Opinion Column / Dr. Tariq Sami Khoury
By Dr. Tariq Sami Khoury After following the latest edition of the World Cup, I arrived at an unexpected realization: I have lost a significant portion of the joy of watching the tournament. In the past, World Cup days felt like national holidays. We waited hours for matches, arranged our schedules around kickoff times, and lived every minute with intense passion. Today, I found myself watching matches only if time permitted, rather than ensuring I didn't miss a single moment. In fact, after the final match, I went to sleep before the coronation ceremony—something unimaginable during any previous edition. Searching for Answers I asked myself: Why has this feeling changed? The answer I reached is simple, yet profound: elite football clubs have stripped the World Cup of much of its magic. When you watch top-tier football throughout the season—featuring clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, as well as Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and others—you are weekly exposed to the absolute highest quality of football in the world. These fixtures feature a rapid tempo, immense technical execution, and tactical showdowns no less thrilling than any tournament final. Tactical Synergy: Club vs. Country Daily Chemistry: Players spend the vast majority of their time with their clubs, training together daily and achieving peak levels of tactical alignment and understanding. Short National Windows: National teams gather only for brief, intermittent periods. Consequently, international matches often lack the quality, pace, and fluid entertainment found in elite club football. A Changing Football Landscape The World Cup is no longer the sole pinnacle of football as it was decades ago; it has become a major stop within an overcrowded football calendar dominated by giant clubs. This reality does not diminish the World Cup's historical stature or prestige, but it explains why the unbridled passion for it has waned among many football enthusiasts. While opinions may vary, I emerged from this edition with a clear conviction: top global clubs did not just claim the players—they stole a portion of the World Cup's prestige and charm. Website: Opinion Column / Dr. Tariq Sami Khoury
By Dr. Tariq Sami Khoury After following the latest edition of the World Cup, I arrived at an unexpected realization: I have lost a significant portion of the joy of watching the tournament. In the past, World Cup days felt like national holidays. We waited hours for matches, arranged our schedules around kickoff times, and lived every minute with intense passion. Today, I found myself watching matches only if time permitted, rather than ensuring I didn't miss a single moment. In fact, after the final match, I went to sleep before the coronation ceremony—something unimaginable during any previous edition. Searching for Answers I asked myself: Why has this feeling changed? The answer I reached is simple, yet profound: elite football clubs have stripped the World Cup of much of its magic. When you watch top-tier football throughout the season—featuring clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, as well as Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and others—you are weekly exposed to the absolute highest quality of football in the world. These fixtures feature a rapid tempo, immense technical execution, and tactical showdowns no less thrilling than any tournament final. Tactical Synergy: Club vs. Country Daily Chemistry: Players spend the vast majority of their time with their clubs, training together daily and achieving peak levels of tactical alignment and understanding. Short National Windows: National teams gather only for brief, intermittent periods. Consequently, international matches often lack the quality, pace, and fluid entertainment found in elite club football. A Changing Football Landscape The World Cup is no longer the sole pinnacle of football as it was decades ago; it has become a major stop within an overcrowded football calendar dominated by giant clubs. This reality does not diminish the World Cup's historical stature or prestige, but it explains why the unbridled passion for it has waned among many football enthusiasts. While opinions may vary, I emerged from this edition with a clear conviction: top global clubs did not just claim the players—they stole a portion of the World Cup's prestige and charm. Website: Opinion Column / Dr. Tariq Sami Khoury
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When Global Clubs Stole the World Cup's Glamour
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