When the American
embassy in Cairo released a preemptive statement deploring religious incitement
earlier this month, a question immediately popped to mind.
How much of the anti-American sentiment in Egypt would
subside if the country’s soccer team qualified for the 2014 World Cup?
Granted, the question is well beyond the realm of group
think, and certainly not on the mind of diplomats trying to resolve a delicate
situation in the Arab world. But, it was nevertheless interesting.
Considering, Egypt is coached by a New Jersey-born man whose
last job was leading the U.S. Men’s soccer team. And considering Egypt has
qualified for the World Cup only two times, the last of which was 1990, it
seemed a totally legitimate question.
The Pharaohs have a long way to go when it comes to securing
their ticket to Brazil. Egypt is in the second of potentially three rounds of
qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. At the
moment, they are in good shape to advance to the third round of qualifying.
Egypt was 38th in the most recent FIFA World
rankings, five places behind the United States. Sandwiched between the two
countries — Libya. Yes, war-torn, Libya.
It wouldn’t be the first time politics have been the
elephant in the room when it comes to African soccer.
Didier Drogba is hailed as a hero in Cote d’Ivoire, not
because he scored the winning penalty kick to win his club the European Cup
last spring, or the fact he’s been a world class soccer player for the past
decade.
Drogba is revered in his homeland because he encouraged
warring factions in his country to suspend their civil war and support the
national soccer team back in 2005.
The north was dominated by Muslims and the south was predominantly
Christian. The policies and divisiveness of former president Laurent Gbagbo led
to the southerners resenting the mostly immigrant class that lived in the north
producing cocoa. The warring started in 2002 and didn’t subside until the star
striker pleaded with his compatriots to stop the fighting moments after The
Elephants qualified for the 2006 World Cup.
Clearly, the Anti-Americanism displayed in northern Africa
will not be eliminated solely by soccer — or
speeches at the United Nations.
The resentment is too entrenched, the politics of the current
situation are more complex and too many lives have been lost for a few games to
wipe away recent history. However, it does make one wonder how much diplomacy
could be accomplished through sports.
Besides, if North Korea and South Korea can face off in a
meaningful soccer match, anything is possible.
Laughs and liveliness,
-Wb
