World Cup – poems 2 die for

BEFORE YOUR TEAM CAN WIN

and so
they spoke

the football gods
the ones
that are there
not the ones
were elected

told us
that this shithousery final
was what
we wanted, what
we always wanted

what defines
in essence
the beautiful game

not sentimental stuff
like twenty year old way
back then
Leo Messi
cradling that little
African Arab baby
Lamine
Yamal

said this is the rough stuff
rules are only
for the rich
and powerful

what
you begged for
and so, we gave you,
at the home
of gridiron
of the New York
Giants
could you have asked
for more?

unless, lovers of defense
that you are
unsatisfied by extra time
only the cataclysm
of penalties
would
be enough to sate you

chance to
leave it

in our laps
   who in truth
          do not care for your trophies
and medals and
State sports washing
all those
things infants and
infantinos
hold
   so close to their hearts

we
love
the irresistible craziness
of the game
when it becomes fluid,
full-flowing

ten goals
in ninety, beauty
wizardry
off the charts

but
not what
is demanded
for victory, for joy
for
mere mortal perspective
on this
game of games

when
things fall as they must
before
your team can win

CERTIFICATE OF EXONERATION

Regarding the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final: England vs Argentina, Atlanta
Issued this day in Mahikeng, South Africa, July 2026

Let it be known that I, the undersigned, being a supporter in good standing of:
Manchester United, the San Francisco 49ers, Mamelodi Sundowns, the Natal Sharks, the Springbok Rugby Team, Boca Juniors, and yes — the England National Association Football Team

Do hereby DECLARE AND CERTIFY the following individuals wholly GUILTLESS and EXONERATED from all blame, shame, and generational trauma arising from the abysmal, unforeseen, unprecedented, historic and supremely cowardly surrender to the Argentinian football team in the final forty minutes of the aforementioned semi-final:

THE EXONERATED:
1. *Ollie Watkins*
2. *Kobbie Mainoo*
3. *And any other players who did not receive a single minute of playing time*

This Certificate affirms that the above-named cannot and shall not be held responsible for the hideous psychological scarring inflicted upon supporters of the England National Team, and English people more generally, the effects of which are likely to persist for generations.

FURTHERMORE, I take this opportunity to REPUDIATE all pundits, commentators, content creators, theorists and philosophers of football who seek to explain the defeat not as cowardice, but as “football brainlessness” endemic to English players and people — when compared to the cultured and intelligent footballing nations of South America and the African continent.

IN EVIDENCE THEREOF:
The lack of tactical and strategic insight displayed bears a telling parallel to chess, that most strategic and tactical of board games.

It is noted that:
– No Englishman or woman has ever won the World Chess Championship
– The only English-speaking World Chess Champion was American (mid-1970s)
– Victory in chess requires control of the centre
– It is impossible and illegal to jam eleven pieces upon the back rank of eight squares
– There is no recourse to penalties in chess
– Checkmate is final

Funnily enough, the manner of England’s defeat to Argentina was the closest approximation to a chess checkmate ever witnessed on a football pitch.

SIGNED AND SEALED*
In Mahikeng, South Africa
This 18th day of July, 2026

Supporter, Witness, and Survivor