Sean Jacobs

While the days leading up to the FIFA World Cup are usually marked by celebratory welcome ceremonies by host nations, the narrative consuming this year’s build-up has focused on the prohibitive entry conditions imposed by the Trump administration on various players, fans, and match officials.

All five South American representatives in the 2010 World Cup – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay – survived Group play and made it through to the second round. Add to that the two North and Central American teams—Mexico and the USA—and it’s been a very successful tournament thus far for the Americas. My money is still on either Brazil or Argentina to win the whole thing. As for Africa—on the field, at least, this is not our World Cup thus far.

My impressions from my first few days here: the dreaded vuvuzelas droning everywhere – and the myths about these plastic horns being “tradition” persist. People defend them even when it’s clear they’re not good for their health.