Even though many fans of favourite teams that failed to qualify were saved from the inevitable heartbreak, this year's FIFA World Cup tournament nevertheless had its serious downsides.

FIFA adopted American-style dynamic pricing, allowing ticket prices to fluctuate based on real-time demand. Traditional supporters felt priced out. Group-stage tickets climbed to 700 dollars, while premium seats for the final topped 10,000 dollars+.

Practically invisible, FIFA projected a 30 billion dollar cash injection for the host nations.

For an economic giant like the US, it was a drop in the ocean, with most hotels reporting bookings way below forecasts. The real winner here was Mexico. Because its economy relies so heavily on tourism, the money carried far more weight, potentially boosting its GDP by up to half a per cent, with cities like Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City feeling it the most.

Spanning 16 cities across a massive continent with no high-speed rail networks, fans and teams relied almost entirely on planes. This flying circus meant transport alone generated over seven million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Total emissions hit 15 million tonnes, making it the most polluting tournament in sports history.

Supporters of world champions Spain probably won't remember any of that, and if they decided to save their money, sat at home and followed the games via live updates, they ought to remember that the best part of it all was that it was completely free.

                                                         Playing with fire

The two local reports of parachute flares landing on private properties, causing slight injuries to one of the residents, made for disconcerting reading.

Thankfully, the damage and injuries caused were minimal but could have been very serious, if not fatal, in different circumstances.

These incidents brought to mind another serious event that occurred on the night of 31 December 2022 to 1 January 2023, involving a Dutch-flagged sailing ship in the Pacific Ocean. When launching a flare to celebrate the New Year, the parachute flare did not launch as expected but instead exploded almost directly in the hand of the crew member. First aid was administered but proved ineffective; the victim died of internal injuries suffered as a result of the impact of the explosion.

One could also recall how such flares caused injuries and panic during the Liverpool FC victory parade in May 2025. Indeed, because of what happened during those celebrations, the British authorities felt the need to review the use of flares and smoke bombs at such large-scale events and what needed to be done to tackle the problem.

Flares are devices that produce bright light or intense heat and fire and are commonly used for signalling distress - for example, at sea - or for illumination.

Smoke bombs are devices, often in the form of a canister, designed to produce a thick, continuous cloud of smoke upon ignition. They are primarily used to create smoke screens or signals, to mark positions, or for photographic effect.

Smoke bombs contain different chemicals depending on their intended use but generally rely on a mixture of fuel, oxidiser, and a colouring agent.

Parachute flares are very dangerous pieces of equipment because of the temperature at which they burn. Very brief contact or even proximity to the skin leads to injuries, slight or serious or, at worst, fatal.

The UK addressed the escalating issue by enacting legislation that significantly restricts the importation of these flares. The challenge arose from the sheer volume of flares, which rendered it increasingly difficult for the police and authorities to manage the situation effectively.

Just like the UK and other countries, Malta should pass a law laying down that distress flares are emergency signalling devices designed to be used only when life or property is in danger and that using them as fireworks, for celebration, or "for fun" is an offence and can result in heavy fines.

Better safe than sorry.

                                                     No peace of mind

How can I feel secure when the government continues to promise us a better quality of life, yet the World Bank warns that Malta's dependence on a single major hospital leaves the country vulnerable in the event of a major disaster?

How can I have peace of mind when, despite the Maltese economy growing significantly, the World Bank is warning us about the lack of legally enforceable seismic and fire safety building regulations, which it identifies as one of Malta's most critical structural weaknesses?

How can I find peace of mind when, even though the government is reducing taxes, increasing pensions, and promising bonuses for Maltese workers, the World Bank has highlighted climate change as a significant threat, exacerbating Malta's vulnerability to heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires?

How can I feel secure if, despite the government's assurances of continued energy price subsidies, the World Bank has identified significant deficiencies in Malta's emergency coordination systems?

How can I have peace of mind if, while the government promises us an even better budget than the previous one, the World Bank has listed laws that do not explicitly require authorities to carry out core preparedness functions such as national risk assessments, early warning systems or community engagement?

Success is not about wealth or possessions, but about happiness and peace of mind.

All of us deserve a greater peace of mind, knowing that our children and we are protected wherever and however we are.