Best World Cup

Bruce Murray, a former US soccer player and Hall of Fame Inductee said on BBC that this is the best World Cup. Some of the matches were decided by late goals, keeping the interest of the spectators and TV viewers till the final whistle. The semi-final match between England and Argentina (16/07) was supposed to be won by England, but it didn’t eventuate. England withered away as soon as Argentina equalised according to a TV commentator. The World Cup final would be a clash of titans. Spain is the current European Champion. In 2010, Spain had won its first World Cup final beating Netherlands 1-0 in extra time. Today, they are playing the same pattern of accurate passing game to keep possession of the ball. In comparison, some of the Argentinean players have risen to the occasion when big games come. They cannot rely upon Messi to score all the time. Both Spain and Argentina are worthy contenders for World Cup Soccer 2026. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi

Painful WC exit!

England’s World Cup exit at the Atlanta Stadium was heartbreaking. It was painful. 10 minutes were left for The Three Lions to book a historic spot in the final — a first since 1966 when The Three Lions beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley. England fans will now have to endure 64 years of hurt, pain and agony after a late Argentina comeback saw them bid the golden opportunity to win a WC title. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon scored a brilliant goal in the 55th minute, but the La Albiceleste never gave up. While England received heavy criticism for defending deep, football pundits praised Argentina’s fighting spirit, positive attitude, teamwork and character. Lionel Messi stood out when it mattered the most. He must be credited for the gallant fightback. His leadership, footwork and deft skills enabled Argentina to win. Enzo Fernandez’s sizzler broke England hearts as Lionel Scaloni’s side equalised and then Lautaro Martínez, who came on as a substitute, headed in a beautiful cross from Messi in injury-time to send Argentina fans into frenzy. Argentina regrouped in joy and sheer delight, while England’s WC nightmare continues to haunt them. I had high hopes, but I’m heartbroken as we bid goodbye to this year’s WC! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

True champions

World Cup 2026 Argentina 2 v England 1. Argentina is a true champion. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. That’s precisely what Argentina did. With their attacking prowess after going down by a goal early in the second half, Argentina showed why soccer is called the beautiful game. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

Recall from leave

November 2024 Immigration Director Amelia Komaisavai was sent on leave pending investigations into the unauthorised issuance of Fijian passports to the children of two Grace Road Church members (FT 23/11/24). The former immigration minister Pio Tikoduadua called for an investigation into how the passports were issued without his authorisation and knowledge. She has now been recalled to resume duty. According to the current Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto, he has asked her to come back to work because it has taken too long (FT 15/7). He further stated that “they (police) have done all the investigations. She’s getting full pay, and we’ll go from there”. He fell short of revealing the outcome of the investigation. Nor did he say whether she has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Something seems amiss here. The nondisclosure raises questions about the transparency of the whole process. It was confirmed by the police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro, in February that the investigators had received the complete case files back from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. However, it is not known as to what was the recommendation from DPP. I wonder what has the Police Commissioner to say on this issue. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka

Well done PM

It is good to see that the PM has heeded my suggestion that people should go back to their villages. These people do not fit the urban lifestyle and do not belong in towns and cities. Just imagine the number of problems this will solve. I believe there will be an immediate reduction in cases of HIV, drug abuse, and crime. As people live off the land and sea, cost of living, rent and transport issues will be allayed. This will have a knock-on effect and there will be savings in policing, healthcare and other social benefits such as reduction in unemployment. What is more, people can concentrate on strengthening their traditions and culture by going back to their roots. We all know that traditions and culture are very important to Fijians. That way, the towns and cities can be left to the vulagi. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia

Rights office

Rights office without key appointments (FT 16/7/26). That is an indictment on the government of the day. Makes a thinking person wonder about the State’s commitment to upholding human rights standards in today’s Fiji? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

At what cost?

What will it cost you to let bygones be bygones and forgive someone today? What will it cost you to show a little love and compassion to someone today? What will it cost you to be kind and gracious to someone today? What will it cost you to smile at someone today? What will it cost you to reconcile with someone you need to reconcile with? What will it cost you? Colin Deoki Australia

We need a general

There is a lesson which the current and previous two national coaches appear to overlook for some reason. Talent alone cannot win games. For too long, we have relied on players like ‘The Bus’ Tuisova, to wreak havoc but our opponents know him too well and counter this with rushed defence. Our Flying Fijians are missing a backline player who brings maturity, the ability to read the game well and influence our moves. In this regard, fingers crossed that Virimi Vakatawa in is our starting line-up against Scotland. While it is a team effort at the end of the day, we lack a general in the backline and this gentleman is our best pick at the moment. Floyd Robinson Mirconesia

FIFA rot

The New York Times (25/7/26) reports ‘IOC asked to investigate Gianni Infantino’s role in Folarin Bolagun’s World Cup ban reversal’. That is as it should be to keep the bast@#ds honest in the FIFA establishment. I believe the corruption rot puts an ugly face on the beautiful game. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

Missile test

It is not surprising that China tests a long-range missile in the Pacific Ocean when Australian PM Anthony Albanese signs a military alliance deal with Fiji. Also, PM Modi was in Melbourne, Australia. I believe the Chinese missile test was done to over-shadow the meeting of Modi and Albanese. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi

Road safety

Who is most responsible for the cause of road accidents? Drivers, passengers, road conditions or road rules? Road safety is life safety. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand

Medicinal weed

With Fiji currently battling a drug pandemic, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel has suggested that Fiji could soon open the door to the medicinal cannabis industry. I wonder whether the minister was thinking with a rather “cloudy” mind when he made that assertion. While medicinal cannabis has recognised medical uses for a limited number of conditions, claims that it is some sort of miracle treatment for a wide range of health ailments are often exaggerated and not supported by strong scientific evidence. It is also not without risks. Regular or heavy use can contribute to dependency, cognitive impairment, anxiety, mood disorders, memory and learning difficulties, and in some cases psychotic symptoms, particularly among vulnerable individuals. Smoking cannabis also carries risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health. Besides, Fiji has struggled to prevent hard drugs such as methamphetamine from mysteriously disappearing from police exhibit rooms. What are the odds that medicinal cannabis would never find its way out of hospitals or clinics and onto the streets? Is Fiji really prepared to take that chance? Before venturing into the medicinal cannabis industry, perhaps the Government should first focus on more pressing issues like reviving the sugar industry, tackling the soaring cost of living, reducing unemployment, addressing violent crime, and lifting families out of poverty. I would rather take my chances with Fiji being declared a Christian State and the implementation of the Methodist Church’s proposed “Sunday ban” than witness a flourishing medicinal cannabis industry creating new challenges for law enforcement and public health. It’s “high” time the Government got its priorities straight. Nishant Singh Lautoka 

Tax, sweat and national budget

While the common taxpayer sweats hard each week to ensure they can scrape by to meet the basic needs of their family, our MPs are debating over the ‘responsible’ national budget. It is a wonder though, how comforting for MPs to watch their bank balances grow while ordinary taxpayers look at the growing national debt and wonder how much harder they have to work and how much harder their children will have to work in future to pay back these national debts. How much longer do the taxpayers need to make sacrifices and how many times will they have to think before deciding whether something is a need or merely a want? But why worry about the taxpayer right? As long as those generous salaries, allowances, overseas travel, and other perks are funded, the public can continue to make all the sacrifices necessary. If politicians are serious about responsible spending and putting the people at the forefront, the change needs to start at the top. Reduce MPs’ salaries, remove bonuses and non-essential perks, and make overseas travel conditional on meeting clearly defined performance targets. Personally, MPs willing to accept a meaningful reduction in pay would earn far more respect, and probably my vote. Because asking the public to tighten their wallets isn’t exactly matching the “we are here for the people” aesthetics that a ‘Government for the people’ should be upholding. Elisha Bano Suva