Dreams are good, but success demands a blueprint

WHEN Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly spoke of his dream of one day seeing Malaysia host the FIFA World Cup, many dismissed the idea as unrealistic, even laughable.

Yet every achievement begins with a dream. The real question is not whether we should dream but whether we possess the determination, planning, and discipline to transform the dream into reality.

At present, Malaysian football is still searching for consistency. Our national team produced moments of brilliance in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, only to disappoint now with performances that fall short against even some of our regional neighbours. Until we establish ourselves as a dominant footballing nation in Asia, dreams of hosting – or even competing in – the FIFA World Cup remain distant.

But building a formidable team cannot be achieved overnight. It demands patience, vision, and sustained investment over decades. Realistically, it could take 20 to 30 years of structured development to produce a football team able to compete at the highest level. The foundation of this transformation must be laid in youth development. Malaysia should identify its most talented under 18 players and expose them to football cultures that have consistently produced resilient and technically gifted athletes.

Countries like Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde, and even the Democratic Republic of Congo have demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit and tactical maturity in the 2026 World Cup. Expo-sing a young Malaysian team to training and learning with these countries will broaden horizons and strengthen mentality.

However, overseas exposure alone is not enough. There must also be a national football blueprint with clearly defined milestones, such as strengthening grassroots football, improving coaching, investing in sports science, setting up local leagues for domestic competitions, and setting measurable targets towards World Cup qualification.

Dreams inspire a nation, but only meticulous planning, unwavering commitment, and consistent execution can make those dreams achievable.

Malaysia should certainly dream of participating in the World Cup one day. But first, let us build a football nation worthy of standing among the world’s best. When we have earned our place on the grandest stage, our dream of hosting the tournament will no longer be viewed as a fantasy, but as a vision backed by credibility, confidence, and national pride.

K. PANNEERSELVAM

Kuala Lumpur