Brazil’s loss to Norway on July 5 eliminated the team that has won more FIFA World Cups than any other nation — five — and is the only one to have played in every edition of the tournament. But they…
Belgian footballer set an example for men worldwide
Earlier in this year’s World Cup, Belgian winger Jeremy Doku decided to be with his wife, Shireen, during the birth of their son instead of playing in the first few matches. French broadcaster France Pierron labeled the moment “disgusting,” adding…
What sports patriotism teaches us
Through recent World Cup fervor, American patriotism has reigned — even more so it seems than on the Fourth of July. A New York Times article says it well: “At a moment when national pride is at a quarter-century low,…
Mexico’s Churches Seek a Gospel Win This World Cup
As Mexican midfielder Brian Gutiérrez kicked off the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, the 100 people at the Iglesia Bautista Estrella de Belén in Mexico City erupted with applause and cheers. For the first…
Pilgrims and Holy Wars at the World Cup
With five billion fans, soccer is less the world’s favorite sport than its largest religion, and the FIFA World Cup Finals (which begins on June 11 across North America) its ultimate pilgrimage.
What the tattoos of World Cup players say about their love, life and religious beliefs
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11, 2026, traditional news and social media channels will be full of pictures of the players. Many of them will be showing their tattoos.