In ever-changing world, Wimbledon is a summer institution on British landscape preserved in tact for almost 150 years

YOU can say a lot about FIFA and this summer's football World Cup, from the eye-watering ticket prices to strict US immigration laws and climate issues to VAR.

- BY CHARLIE BENNETT

But in Mexico City it reached a new low, with an opening ceremony nobody wanted and even fewer people watched, but that would almost certainly unite us all in wincing at the bill.

That might be harsh on Shakira, who knows her way around football's biggest stage. Sixteen years on from Waka Waka being the soundtrack to our summer, she was back and lip-synced her way through another upbeat song with a catchy chorus.

But like sandwiches in some meal deals, each one may look different but ultimately tastes the same - even if they are hard not to like.

There was then the odd sight of Andrea Bocelli not singing Nessun Dorma and instead plonked next to EJAE - no, me neither! - to belt out something overly-produced.

FIFA spent millions but ITV, broadcasting the opening match that followed, only showed bits and pieces and largely confined viewers to Mark Pougatch running through the tournament's talking points with messrs Keane, Neville and Wright.

Salma Hayek might be on stage delivering a speech but what, Roy, do you think about the new VAR guidelines? And, to be honest, with the Manhattan skyline gleaming in the background, it made for better viewing. Meanwhile, at 11am on June 29, the BBC will press play on Keith Mansfield's Light and Tuneful and the opening bars will take you to a place Shakira never can.

The World Cup might dominate our summer, but Wimbledon is an antidote for the sporting palate, where an act of queueing becomes an aesthetic statement and grand overindulgence is a crime. A place where Cliff Richard going a cappella is about as rock 'n' roll as it gets.

Golf has The Masters, and tennis has Wimbledon - with their quirky traditions, preposterous yet comforting, unlike any other. Where else would you inscribe a Rudyard Kipling quote but next to the entrance of Centre Court?