Watching the Czechs play South Korea, I couldn’t help but think it should have been us
In some luckier parallel universe, the Republic of Ireland were lining out in Zapopan
World Cup lift-off: 80,000 fans, nine South Africa players and three red cards
American flag met with chorus of boos during opening ceremony at the Azteca
Ken Early: Driving through Mexico City it’s clear not everyone is in love with this World Cup
Teachers’ strikes highlight the chasm between ordinary workers’ wages and the premium price of match tickets
Ken Early: Gianni Infantino rolls out the platitudes and gratitudes in press conference
Fifa chief addressed Iran, ticket prices and visa problems at event in Mexico City, but didn’t hit the dramatic heights of Qatar 2022
Ken Early: Gianni Infantino has little reverence, respect or feeling for football – it’s all about the money
Fifa president has focused on increasing World Cup revenue to the detriment of the game’s greatest showpiece
Ken Early: Football fans everywhere are suffering Arsenal’s consequences
Mikel Arteta should have focused a bit less on killing the clock and a bit more on playing the game
Ken Early: Arsenal go into PSG game aware they may be the most important cultural institution in the world
The Gunners are determined to see out a historic campaign with their first ever Champions League
Ken Early: Compared with Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola had it easy
The unusual thing about Guardiola is that he started coaching at the very top and stayed there his whole career
Ken Early: Mikel Arteta’s Monster Truck Arsenal proved themselves the strongest team in the league
Newly self-assured team and coach now have the challenge of proving they can find new ways to win
Ken Early: Any fair-minded person wanted Celtic to fail, but Hearts’ ‘cheat code’ takes the gloss off
Veteran manager’s title success achieved by old-school values against a data-driven opponent
Ken Early: Arsenal will be the champions this fearful Premier League deserves
The fact the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year award went to Bruno Fernandes tells us something
Ken Early: Liverpool have become awfully comfortable with losing under Arne Slot
Kobbie Mainoo caps comeback win amid mounting pressure on Arne Slot
Ken Early: Mohamed Salah will long be remembered as one of Liverpool’s best players
Never a lethal finisher like Messi, Son or Kane, but he was the best at getting chances to score
Ken Early: A last redemptive twist is still possible for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s squad did not play terribly against Manchester City and the worst has already happened
Liverpool want fans to keep singing as they lose 4-0, then say nothing as they charge more
The club seems to be saying: your job is to keep singing for us even as we lose 4-0, then shut your mouth when we charge you more