by Pastor Matt Wilksch. Used with permission
FIFA World Cup uniting the world
“‘I so needed that’, said an American woman as she teared up in her social media post. She was talking about the fan behaviour at the Football World Cup in North America, where the fan-fun is every bit as compelling as the football itself. Fans from all over the world have been having a ball at the Cup and have discovered the delights of the host nations and the warm embrace and hospitality of the host cities.
There have been some wonderful scenes:
‘Coreano, hermano!‘ ‘Korean, Brother!‘ Mexican and South Korean supporters have a football bro-mance going, whereby they support each other’s teams, swap fan gear, and share tequila.
This odd friendship stems from the 2018 World Cup when South Korea defeated the mighty German team, which allowed Mexico to progress in the tournament rather than being eliminated. Grateful Mexicans celebrated spontaneously by surrounding the South Korean embassy in Mexico City chanting ‘Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano!’ which means ‘Korean, brother, you are already Mexican!‘ Such was the bond formed that Korean business interests in Mexico have boomed ever since, and the friendship endures today. It is incongruous to see opposition supporters embracing each other so heartily.
Japanese fans have been filmed cleaning up the rubbish after their games, winning the hearts of many with such wholesome behaviour. In a sidenote, Japanese women are posting online, ‘Do this at home, please, too!‘ Fair call!
The Norwegian fans have been seen in united displays of their ‘Row!’ chant. They have been rowing in the stadia, rowing up escalators and even Norwegian politicians offered a wonderful example of unity, with the row performed in parliament across party lines.
The Dutch ‘Orange Army’ of tens of thousands of orange-clad supporters have been following their orange double-decker bus singing their Links-Rechts (Left-Right) song while jumping up and down and moving left and right in unison. It is the most amazing thing to see.
The Scottish ‘Tartan Army’ endeared themselves to the locals in Boston and Miami, putting road cones on the heads of statues, charming all and sundry with their quirky national psyche and drinking a local brewery dry.
Football, it seems, has been bringing the world together.
A welcome good news story
After a tumultuous time politically in America in recent years, with the country at war, rising fuel prices and cost of living pressures among other things, the World Cup has been a most welcome good news story.
It has reminded Americans, many of whom have been finding the divisive nature of public discourse exhausting, of the joy of meeting other cultures and brought great delight in the world coming together. It seems, football has been uniting the world!
Will it last?
But will it last? Or is it ultimately a temporary distraction from the problems of daily life? The ancient Roman Emperors regularly put on Games for their people, to cultivate goodwill and affection for themselves. It’s a very old political strategy. A temporary party is unlikely to solve many problems in the long term.
As Christians we can appreciate the gift of sport and enjoy the World Cup with a clear conscience. But we look elsewhere for true unity and ultimate joy.
Jesus brings people together
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians that Jesus was the one who brings people together. Specifically, Paul was thinking of Jews and Gentiles. Jesus Christ has made the two groups one, and broken down the dividing wall of hostility. Jesus has made peace with us, so we can make peace with each other.
The gift Jesus gives us is the removal of the dividing wall between people. At the Temple in Jerusalem, there were divisions. There were places you could not go if you were a Gentile, or a woman, or not a priest. And the whole place was off limits if you had a disease, contact with blood or contact with a dead person, or a string of other issues that made you ritually unclean.
Jesus broke down the dividing wall between people and between God when he removed the sin of all humanity. Ultimately, Jesus did away with the need for a temple at all, because he himself was the new dwelling place of God. In Christ humanity has true and lasting unity.
If you watch the World Cup, may you take great delight in seeing the world come together. Let this remind you that Jesus has made us one with him and one with all humanity by his cross and resurrection. That’s true unity.”
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility
Ephesians 2:13-14
What about you?
Are you a World Cup fan?
How do you feel when your team (in any sport) wins or loses?
Do you agree that sport can unite the world, at least for a while?
I’d love to hear your comments in the box below.
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