No buzz for the World Cup, 44 days to go: why is that? | OneFootball

In Argentina, the lead-up to a World Cup is almost always noticeable on the streets: jerseys everywhere, flags hanging up, and football as the main topic. But this time, at least for now, the temperature seems to be showing something else.

A walk by La Voz through downtown Córdoba leaves a clear impression: the “World Cup fever” still hasn’t kicked in.

Few people know exactly when the tournament starts or who the National Team plays in its first matches. The answers are hesitant, mixed up, or simply don’t come. There’s no anxiety, no countdowns. There is, rather, a mood of waiting.

Tomás, 22, summed it up plainly: “The euphoria has already passed, we’ve got everything.” The phrase comes naturally, almost like a generational diagnosis after the National Team’s latest achievements.

At the street stalls, where enthusiasm has historically shown up early, the scene is similar. “Little to nothing so far,” said Carlos, a street vendor, when asked about sales of sky-blue and white jerseys. He only has a few hanging up, far from the activity seen before other World Cups.

Further along, from another stall, Marcelo, also a vendor, admitted that the World Cup still doesn’t interest him. “I’m not really up to date on the National Team, but I definitely am on Talleres,” he said, making clear where his football attention is today.

He’s not the only one. Among the people moving through downtown, interest seems scattered. Some admit there’s still time before the tournament starts; others simply don’t have the date in mind. “I know there’s a World Cup, but I don’t know when it starts,” said Lucía, a 19-year-old student, laughing.

The contrast with other years is obvious. In the run-up to previous tournaments, the National Team’s presence on the streets was almost immediate. This time, however, the intensity seems to have dropped a few notches.

The reasons, with the World Cup approaching

There are several possible explanations. On one hand, the calendar: there’s still time, and interest may pick up closer to the start. On the other, the economic context, which also affects the consumption of merchandise and the way these events are experienced. And, in addition, there is a feeling that is hard to measure but easy to sense: after having been world champions, two-time Copa América champions, and Finalissima winners, the sense of urgency seems smaller.

What more could be asked of Scaloni’s team? A cycle that set the bar high and, at the same time, brought a certain calm. As if there were nothing left to prove.

Maybe that’s why the passion hasn’t disappeared, but its rhythm has changed. There’s no early euphoria, but there’s no indifference either. There’s a kind of pause.

Still, recent history suggests not drawing definitive conclusions. In a country where football runs through everything, the mood can change in a matter of days. A match, a squad announcement, a viral image, or simply the date getting closer can awaken what today seems asleep.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.