“Baby World Cup” Takes First Steps

Whether or not Ecuador can defy the odds and beat Poland this summer in Group A of the World Cup won’t be known for months. But if the “Baby World Cup”, currently being held in Quito, is any indication, Ecuador is almost assured of breezing through to the knockout stage after thrashing the Poles 15-0.

Teams consisting of Ecuadorian children aged 12 and under are representing the countries of the World Cup in the Mundialito de Baby Futbol, or Baby World Cup. As Ecuador, Germany, Poland and Costa Rica are in World Cup Group A, so are those “countries” in the Baby World Cup Group A. Ecuador (represented by Eucaliptos FC) opened play against Poland (Colegio Eufrasia) yesterday, squeaking by 15-0. Up next for Baby Ecuador: Germany of course, followed by Costa Rica.

This sounds irrepressibly cute, unless they also had a Baby Sepp Blatter at the games, the thought of which makes me sob uncontrollably.