How to Survive the FIFA World Cup if you are a Celt

When there is a Celtic team playing in the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Football World Cup then the choice of who to support for me is an easy one. It can be one of the Celtic nations of Scotland, Republic of Ireland or Wales. At this stage Cornwall, Brittany and Isle of Man are not separately affiliated to FIFA. Although the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin/Mannin) did get through to the final of the ConIFA (an umbrella body for teams outside of FIFA) World Cup final in Sweden this year.  However, in situations such as the 2014 World Cup being held in Brazil between 12 June and 13 July the choice of supporting a Celtic team does not exist. Unfortunately, none of those FIFA affiliated Celtic team’s got through to the final stage this time.

However, it means we can now be neutral, although I’m aware that many people of Celtic origin in the ‘New World’ will be supporting the USA, Australia or perhaps Argentina.  I have to say if you are living in one of the Celtic nation’s that is bombarded by the broadcasts of British (or to be more precise English) based television channels then the experience can be a painful one. The concentration on the England team who are playing in the tournament is relentless and ignores the fact that a significant percentage of their viewers are not in fact English. Not that I bear the English team any ill will.  It’s just that if perhaps they were knocked out as quickly as possible the broadcasters will start giving us a balanced view of the tournament. Then we can get on with enjoying the football and that, in my opinion, is how you can survive the World Cup as a Celt!