The Mike Hosking Breakfast

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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainty about whether Donald Trump's claims of progress in Iran talks have any credibility.
The US President has called off today's planned strikes, despite earlier vowing to drop even bigger bombs.
He now claims both sides have agreed to the final points of a deal – something Iran's not confirming.
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan Trump is calling it a “transaction” as opposed to a deal, and no details, nor the time or place of signing, have been announced.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday has arrived, which means Kerre Woodham and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Week that Was.
They discussed Uber Eats, the situation with Ben Stokes, and the FIFA World Cup which has just kicked off.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI could soon be doing your shopping, as Visa launches a new feature with ChatGPT.
AI agents can recommend products based on prompts and now complete purchases on a user's behalf – with confirmation.
Gorilla Technology Futurist Paul Spain told Heather du Plessis-Allan the aim is to have it working autonomously on an ongoing basis.
He says it can order groceries, know your shopping list, and make it happen.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The deck is stacked with Kiwi teams rolling into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals.
The Chiefs are taking on the Crusaders in Hamilton tonight, followed by the Hurricanes and “lucky loser” Blues’ clash in Wellington tomorrow.
Though many believe the outcome of the tournament is predictable, NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster is pushing back against the sentiment.
He told Heather du Plessis-Allan this is the first time in thirty years four New Zealand teams have been in the semi-finals.
“Every year it throws us something new, and this year, I actually, as an All Blacks fan, I feel pretty excited that we’ve got four teams in the semis.”
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.