The Metro in Doha is a fascinating little snapshot of the World Cup.
From being completely empty last week, it’s now getting busy on match nights and has a habit of intimidating the locals.
In fact, when the Iran fans with some Mexican supporters were cheering and chanting last night, three big, burly police officers quickly came across and asked them to keep it down.
I saw in 2019 at the Club World Cup the same thing happen with some Brazilian fans on their way to the final with Liverpool. I must say I don’t think that’s too shocking or anything unusual… it’s just different cultures colliding and a different way of life.
And now, with the fans very much in Doha, you are beginning to see some colour, excitement and you can feel a World Cup is finally underway.
It’s always about the fans and that’s the frustrating thing if some can’t get here, don’t want to get here and don’t feel part of it.
The England fans were loud in the stadium, loud on the Metro and, for those that have made it, it was brilliant to hear and see them get behind the team just as they have done in the last two major tournaments.
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I loved the fact Gareth Southgate released the handbrake and played a 4-3-3 with Jude Bellingham, in particular, looking an absolute beacon of class and quality in midfield.
This has to be about getting the attacking players into the starting XI but it was also interesting to see so many substitutes used.
Five subs can change a game and, in sometimes testing conditions, this can be a squad tournament and getting those changes right will be key for Southgate.
The England fans were back serenading him again with the chants of “Whole Again” and suddenly there’s a feel that whenever this squad get their game faces on…
But most importantly, the football has started and, finally, at doing last, it feels like a World Cup.
