You know what I’ve learned never to do?

Predict that this year’s Football World Cup is going to be a flop. Because it never is.

This year, there are problems anywhere you care to look. A single ticket is so pricey it’ll take you three months to pay off. Security is ridiculous. Parking costs 300 American dollars. Water costs 10 NZ dollars. Everything is a rip-off.

Then there’s the politics. The US won’t let the African referee in. Iran doesn’t want to be there – and they’re in our first-up match.

And structurally? It’s messy. It’s too hot. There are too many teams. Three host nations is a logistical nightmare.

So maybe this is it. Maybe this is the year it all implodes for FIFA.

But I suspect it isn’t. I suspect this World Cup will go off – just like they always do. Just like the one without beer in Qatar.

Just like the one clouded by corruption in Russia. Just like the one where everyone feared pickpockets would steal everything in Brazil.

In the end, despite all the noise, despite everyone hating FIFA and their decisions, the World Cup always works.

And the reason is simple.

Fans want to see the stars, and this is where they see the stars. More importantly, this is where they see those stars playing for their country, not a club in Europe.

Hate FIFA as much as you want, but that part still matters.

Because we don’t have many global moments left where the world comes together.

And a tournament built around the world’s most popular game, featuring the world’s biggest stars, is still a massive attraction.

So yes, there are problems.

But I suspect this will be a success, despite the predictions.

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