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Four years ago, any effort to watch a game together was met with the same stubborn toddler resistance as suggesting a midday nap. Suddenly, here we are, knee-deep in Panini swapsies, reeling off an all-star French attack, pointing out the flags and badges of all 48 nations. Shiny Brazil!<\/p>\n
Of course, the medium through which he is engaging with this World Cup is different from our childhood experiences, which in turn are different to our parents’. “Grandad saw Pele at Goodison Park?” Poignant for Grandad because he’s an Evertonian, impressive for the little one because his favourite YouTuber – Chuffsters – pulled a 99-ranked Pele icon card.<\/p>\n
This isn’t a bedtime-friendly World Cup for those this side of the pond – we’ve not yet stayed up late and there’s no dashing into school early, class teacher wheeling out a chunky television to catch Senegal shock France.<\/a><\/p>\n Instead, this World Cup is about climbing into our bed at first light with his little brother, listing yesterday’s fixtures and predicting which star player is going to score – a thirst fulfilled through highlights packages.<\/a> A hearty hit of goals before breakfast.<\/p>\n Waking up last Wednesday was like Christmas morning. Every clip unwrapped the gift of another stunning display. Kylian Mbappe,<\/a> Erling Haaland,<\/a> LIONEL MESSI GOT A HAT-TRICK!<\/a> Because, despite being the same age as most of their parents, it’s still Messi who resonates for today’s kids – his shirt dotted across Sunday morning playing fields.<\/p>\n But for all that’s different, the core things stay the same. <\/p>\n Filling out sticker books and writing on wallcharts, unboxing football figures – we’ve two Bradley Barcolas, if anyone needs? – hours spent pretending to be Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham in the garden, trying to recreate the tournament’s greatest goals. This will be the summer we buy a new fence.<\/p>\n It’s seeing your heroes come alive on screen and falling in love with unexpected new ones. Where can you find a Voice<\/a> shirt?<\/p>\n