"Some people think football is a matter of life and death... I can assure them it is much more serious than that." So said legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly. And whilst the World Cup is on, it can certainly feel like that, but whether you're a fanatic, glued to every last moment of action, or doing whatever you can to avoid being subjected to it, what you can't deny is the impact of soccer. So this week stories four World Cup stories that about so much more than soccer with a tale from Mexico, Canada and the USA
To Mexico where, as well as the competition's opening match in Mexico City, there will be games in both Monterrey and Guadalajara. Buoyed on by their passionate fans, Mexico will also have supporters a in a small enclave of the British Isles. Because deep in the South West of the UK is the county of Cornwall where over one hundred a fifty years ago a group of miners packed their picks and shovels and headed to Mexico to dig for silver, and in doing so introduced the sport of soccer.
There will be a total of 13 matches hosted by Canada at this World Cup... They have some experience because back in 2015 Canada hosted the Women's Soccer World Cup. It was also the year that Harry Manson a soccer player, became the inaugural First Nations athlete to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Harry's is a story of inspiration and recognition for a community often disadvantaged, but his is also a sad one, a life tragically cut short. Harry Manson's story is also a microcosm of what life was like for Canada’s indigenous population in the late 19th century and for subsequent generations. Through the eyes of his family, including grandson Gary Manson, and historian Robert Jennings, we tell that story
In 1994 the USA hosted the FIFA Men's World Cup for the first time. The choice of host nation was a controversial one because, at that time, the US didn't have an active professional football league. Alan Rothenberg was the man in charge of organising the competition. He decided to book Motown legend, Diana Ross, to headline the opening ceremony in Chicago.. Something that turned out to become an iconic moment in World Cup history. Alan has been sharing his memories of the tournament
And last but not least the most important part of any sport.The fans! Or at least you'd hope so, but with things like high ticket prices it can often seem more like a money grab. Andy Milne has seen the way the World Cup has changed having travelled to the Men's competition since 1982. He's in North America in the hopes that his beloved England will fulfil a nation's dream and win the competition again! But for Andy the game is only a small part of the World Cup experience. For Andy it's the friendships he makes on the way that mean the most.
PHOTO: FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed (CREDIT: Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)