Schadenfreude and freudenfreude at the World Cup

www.americanthinker.com

The World Cup tournament started out as a joyous celebration of soccer, where hope springs eternal. Inevitably, for most of the participants, the joy turns to the agony of the feet. Still, even if one’s team gets knocked out prematurely, there’s always “schadenfreude.” Indeed, there may be some “freudenfreude” to boot.

Those are German words. The first, which many people know, basically means to take pleasure in someone’s misfortune; conversely, the second, less well-known word, means to take joy in someone’s success. There’s plenty of opportunity for both at the World Cup.

For U.S. fans, the fate of Iran’s team elicits plenty of schadenfreude. Indeed, our DHS secretary did a “happy dance” when Iran was eliminated. Adding to the joy was the manner of their downfall. They were teetering on qualification for the knockout stages until, in the dying embers of the Austria versus Algeria match, Austria clinched an equalizer that put them through at Iran’s expense. That’s some serious Karma for you.

Part of the Iranian Football Federation’s response included this bizarre tidbit: “World Cups come to an end. Administrators change. But civilisations [sic] such as Iran, Egypt, and Mexico – built upon truth, respect, and human dignity – endure through history.”

Truth? Respect? Human dignity? That sounds like “Baghdad Bob” syndrome. Who are they kidding? While Iran’s soccer team did experience some logistical challenges, there is no room for pity—just overflowing buckets of schadenfreude.

There is also room for some World Cup freudenfreude. Indeed, up until now, this World Cup has been full of pleasing upsets, including minnows Cabo Verde advancing to the knockout stages. Unfortunately for them, mighty Argentina is up next; nevertheless, they have outperformed expectations. The resolute spirit of many of the African nations has also endeared them to applauding fans.

But the freudenfreude sweepstakes goes to the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Not only due to what transpires on the field, but also the sheer joy that pervades the magical nooks and crannies of our majestic country. This is symbiotic: we welcomed the soccer visitors with all-American charm, warmth, grace, and generosity; in return, they reminded us how great we are. If we take that to heart, our republic will long endure.

I’m optimistic we’ll send Bosnia and Herzegovina packing tonight. If the soccer gods have other ideas, ultimately we still won. Iran is right that the World Cup will end, but it is our civilization, our republic, that is infused with respect for human dignity. That’s the truth.

ChatGPT

Image created using AI.