The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will commence June 11. Forty-eight nations will compete in the newly expanded football (soccer) tournament – hosted within the United States, Mexico, and Canada – and the final will take place on July 19.
When playing soccer, the attributes expressed on the field that I most appreciate include artistry, tenacity, skillfulness, courage, cohesion, precision, beauty, and grace. Such attributes are spiritual qualities of God, whom the Scriptures define as infinite Spirit (see John 4:24).
Christian Science teaches that, as expressions of Spirit, men, women, and children are created to express God in ways that are unique to each individual. This, in truth, is our reason for existing. An understanding of man’s unlimited spiritual identity, as the creation of Spirit, has enabled me to participate in sports with joy and satisfaction. It has enhanced my appreciation of sports as a way of expressing and praising Spirit, God. Mary Baker Eddy, who founded The Christian Science Monitor, writes in her major work, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” “Christian Science takes naught from the perfection of God, but it ascribes to Him the entire glory” (p. 262).
If the World Cup is about appreciating the qualities of God being expressed by those participating, does it matter which team wins each game? Not really. However, soccer fans from each participating nation naturally wish for their team to perform well and to progress through the tournament. For players and coaches, defeat is not always easy to deal with, especially when competing for what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a particular trophy.
On occasions when I’ve confronted defeat in competitive sports – whether as a coach or a player – I’ve found this verse from Hebrew Scripture helpful to contemplate: “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all” (I Chronicles 29:11). In the spiritual universe, created and governed by Spirit, God, all is harmonious, complete, and fully supplied. God does not choose sides. There are no winners and losers; we are all triumphant expressions of God!
Millions of soccer fans from around the world are expected to travel to the large stadiums where the World Cup matches will be taking place. These gatherings should be joyous, harmonious, safe, and free from disruptive or intimidating behavior.
I recently attended a professional soccer match in South West England. After the match, the police were doing their best to keep two rival groups of supporters separated. It was not easy, and various taunts and counter-taunts were being made by some of the fans.
I considered Christ Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The police were doing their best to be peacemakers. Observing this activity, I silently affirmed that God, divine Mind, is ever present and all-encompassing, maintaining harmony, peace, and order. Discord and enmity are not part of God’s all-harmonious creation. The fans soon dispersed without rancor or further altercation. I gratefully acknowledged that divine Mind’s governance had prevailed over an apparent threat to stability and peace.
Participation in sports and appreciation of sports competitions such as the World Cup provide an opportunity for us to honor God and to praise His majesty, grace, and glory. Let’s enjoy this summer’s World Cup tournament and rejoice in the Spirit-derived qualities expressed by everyone involved.
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