A Radical Guide to the Round of 16: All the Matchups

It's not about form, tactics or talent, but these criteria: Palestinian liberation; the more radical democracy; popular music; and how welcoming immigrants and refugees.

We have now entered the Round of 16.

The same criteria from the Round of 32 apply: support for Palestine, how democratic the country is, which country has the better music (a completely objective measure, obviously), and which has the more humane immigration policy.

I’m making just one post this time, so I won’t repeat the full reasoning behind every pick. If you want the long version, dig into the archive’s previous entries.

Before moving on, the best match of the Round of 16 was Argentina vs. Cape Verde. As Le Monde summarized it this morning (though Le Monde couldn’t resist the colonial language and is oblivious to the global nature of Cape Verde): “A tiny archipelago, lost off the coast of Senegal, held its own against a nation 700 times its size and offered the football world one of the tournament’s finest performances. The Blue Sharks are eliminated, but they didn’t lose a single match in regulation time against formidable opponents …” This was the first team to truly test the defending champions in the tournament, and Argentina (and FIFA President Infantino) looked both shocked and exhausted by the final whistle.

The Netherlands vs. Morocco match was a close second for excitement, although these days we’ve almost come to expect Morocco to produce performances like that.

Finally, Mexico remains the de facto host of this World Cup, with its stadiums and supporters continuing to provide the tournament’s most vibrant atmosphere. As for FIFA, its money-making schemes deserve a dossier of their own.

While you’re at it, give World Cup Weekly’s overview of the Round of 32 a listen.

So here is the preview:

Canada vs Morocco: Morocco

Canada would be the obvious choice if robust liberal democratic institutions were the only criterion. But if you put greater weight on Morocco’s longstanding support for Palestinian statehood (contradicted by its close relationship with Israel and its own history as an occupier) and its rich musical traditions, Morocco gets the nod. The Moroccan players are clearly at odds with it, as demonstrated at the last World Cup by them flying Palestine flags (despite the state having joined the Abraham Accords). Canada is more aligned with Israel on Palestine. Both countries have flawed immigration systems. (Interestingly, both Morocco and Canada rely for their player pool on their diasporas, Canada featuring several children and grandchildren of African, Caribbean and Latin American immigrants and refugees.)

Paraguay vs France: France

France comes out ahead of Paraguay on democracy and immigration (though France has tightened immigration, effectively from Arab and African countries, especially from its former colonies, in recent years; as a “third country,” Paraguay takes in migrants deported by the US. Music is tied. Paraguay also follows the US’s lead in its support of Israel; it is also fueled by domestic and evangelical politics. France has a better policy on Palestine, from a low bar: Its position is very mainstream outside the US.

Brazil vs Norway: Brazil

Both countries support Palestinian statehood (though Lula advocates for Palestinian liberation and the end of Israeli apartheid), and Brazil has better music. Norway has more robust democratic institutions. Norway’s immigration policies are comprehensive but can be restrictive; Brazil is known for being welcoming but less structured. By the way, Daniel Levy, appearing on World Cup Weekly, lauded the head of Norway’s FA, Lise Klaveness, for calling for action against Israel and thinks Norway is the tournament’s dark horse and he fancies them against Brazil. Coda: The majority of the Brazilian players are supporters of Bolsonaro.

Mexico vs England: Mexico

Mexico has the advantage on Palestine and immigration policy, and while historically the party system in Mexico was antidemocratic, indigenous representation has improved, and they’ve elected successive leftist governments. England is engulfed by nativism and may elect Nigel Farage as prime minister, yet its football team is the most diverse ever, mostly of African and Caribbean descent and the son of an Irish immigrant leads its attack. Music remains an entirely subjective tie.

Portugal vs Spain: Spain

Both are beautiful, progressive, highly democratic countries, but Spain’s more vocal and decisive support for Palestinian liberation (for some, it's the proxy Palestinian team, led by its young star Lamine Yamal), along with a slight edge in democratic politics, puts it ahead. Spain advances.

USA vs Belgium: Belgium

This is not hard. The United States is scandalous on Israel, and engaged in a ruthless, arbitrary, race-based campaign of mass deportation via ICE, but it has the better music. Belgium can’t do worse than that, although it will never live down murdering one of Africa’s greatest sons, Patrice Lumumba.

Argentina vs Egypt: Egypt

Argentina is a democracy (Egypt is a military dictatorship), though it is thoroughly right-wing and Trumpist, and the music is a draw (Louis de Villiers has been on my case about my music judgments). Despite Egypt’s contradictory relationship with Israel — the government enabled Israel’s siege of Gaza and cooperates on security with the apartheid state — its people are as close to Palestine as ever, as coach Hossan Hassam’s flag statement showed after the match against Australia. That, and its role as a major host country for refugees in the region, tip the balance.

Switzerland vs Colombia: Colombia

Colombia gets the nod because of its current government’s strong support for Palestinian statehood, regional solidarity, and comparatively welcoming policies toward people fleeing crisis. Switzerland scores higher if your focus is institutional stability, political transparency, and direct democracy. Colombia wins, despite the politics of some of its players.

* Shoutout to Tony Karon and Jessica Blatt for coming up with the series title.