This article was last updated on May 25, 2022
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One of the great things about being from a country that's not at the World Cup is that we don't have to go through the pain and heartbreak of being eliminated. Imagine what it must be like to be from Spain! OK, so that's putting a positive spin on the fact that Canada isn't at the party, but it does give us the chance to sit back and enjoy this tournament, which – so far – is shaping up to be one of the best of recent years.
TV Trouble
Of course, for many people, it's a huge marketing opportunity as well as a sparkling sporting event. Some pretty crazy promotions have been offered around World Cup time. Toshiba found themselves in a bit of trouble in 2010, as they'd promised free TV's to every customer if Spain won the trophy… which of course they did. Cue panicky faces and frantic back-pedalling at Spanish Toshiba HQ. Then it was revealed that the company had some very, very small print indeed, claiming that customers had to have registered on the website before the tournament started; not what the actual ads promised, leading to a deluge of angry Spanish consumers and an own goal for the company's marketing department.
Free Trip
There have been some great offers this time around, though; even bingo sites got involved, with a draw for a free trip to Brazil for the opening of the tournament. Potato-based snack manufacturer Pringles built a giant soccer boot outside London's Wembley Stadium, suggesting that fans should go down to the site and rub it for luck. It looks like nobody took them up on the idea, as England produced their quickest-ever World Cup exit.
Small Businesses
Small businesses in Brazil and elsewhere got in on the act as well, with somewhat more successful results. Sao Paulo's San Raphael Hotel displayed some eye-catching watermelon carvings in their reception area, featuring the faces of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Lionel Messi. Germany fans in Hornow, near the Polish border, were treated to Katja Schumann's huge chocolate footballs and players at her candy store, Confiserie Felicitas.
Not So Generous
Not all promotions this year have been quite so enticing. The Furama Riverfront is a high-end luxury hotel in Singapore, with a (presumably) superb restaurant, the Kintamani, which serves Indonesian cuisine. If you find yourself there during the remainder of the tournament – obviously you'll have to be quick – make sure you spend at least $150 on your meal. If you do so, you'll be presented with… a set of World Cup fridge magnets! It's enough to make you want to book a flight right now, isn't it?
(Image courtesy of thedrum.com)
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