The good, the bad and eternity: A reflection on World Cup 2026

Ah, the World Cup – the world’s most-watched single-sport event.

Every four years, countries experience heightened national loyalty, social media is flooded with World Cup news, individuals take leave from work so they can follow the matches, or wake up at unearthly hours just to support “their team”.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been full of drama. Germany was ousted by Paraguay on penalties. Morocco took down the Netherlands. Favourites Brazil and Portugal exited earlier than many expected.

Many soccer fans mourn the exits of both Neymar (Brazil) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal). Neymar announced his retirement last week, and Ronaldo announced this would be his final World Cup.

Last week, the world was abuzz with the surprise overturn of the red card given to United States striker Folarin Balogun, but ultimately, the host country was also eliminated in the Round of 16.

The past four and a half weeks have given me plenty to think about. I would like to share three takeaways from the World Cup 2026.

1. The good: Cape Verde, the David in a field of Goliaths

Yes, the front runners were knocked out earlier than expected (Holland, Germany, Italy – who didn’t even qualify) but on the other hand, it was interesting to see smaller nations emerge on the world stage.

Cape Verde is an amazing story of the underdog. Cape Verde population size: 529,600. This was their first-ever World Cup, and they were a David against many Goliaths. 

Cape Verde was one of 2026 favourite underdogs. The team from a tiny nation ousted favorites and made it to the Round of 32. Photo from Team Cape Verde’s Instagram.

Despite low expectations, they emerged unbeaten in the group stage, drawing in three matches against European champion Spain, two-time World Cup winners Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Like David and his five stones, Cape Verde was an unlikely champion, the smallest nation to ever reach knockout stage. They even gave Argentina a scare when they equalised twice, only losing from an unfortunate own goal. Definitely one of the best matches of this World Cup.

Likewise, underdog Paraguay beat Germany in the Round of 32, and Morocco ousted the Netherlands to make it into the quarter finals. As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

2. The “bad”: Saying farewell to football legends

A hero to many, Neymar announced his retirement from international football last week following Brazil’s defeat by Norway.

A day after his announcement, Cristiano Ronaldo – the footballer’s footballer to players like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland – declared 2026 his final World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo played in his final World Cup at the age of 41. Photo from Depositphotos.com.

This spurred much reaction globally, with fans mourning the exit of their favourite soccer stars.

While I can fully understand the disappointment, the Bible has taught us that to every thing there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:3). All athletes recognise that they have a lifespan in sports. Like every other human, they cannot deny their aging and mortality – these affect performance.

It is remarkable that at their ages – Ronaldo is 41, Neymar is 34 ­– they are called up to their respective teams, with the injuries they have suffered and carried throughout their careers. They have done their teams and countries proud for many years, and can step away knowing that they have brought millions joy.

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul who, nearing the end of his life, declared the completion of his mission: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). 

We can learn to live life with a longer lens, with a view of eternity, recognising that everything in this present life has an expiration date, but what lies ahead of us as believers does not.

What we can do, is to put our best foot forward in the present and trust God for the outcome, knowing that nothing is guaranteed, and that failure is a possible outcome.

As they say: The ball is round, anything can happen. There have been too many sideshows and distractions this World Cup. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize!

3. Eternity: Every nation and people before God

As I was watching a World Cup match one day, a verse came to mind as the cameras panned the stadium and I saw the crowd gathered in support of their nations.

Mexico City’s stadium the Estadio Azteca is widely considered the best stadium of this World Cup. Photo from Fifa.com

Revelation 7:9-10, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

Stories of soccer fans all over the world have been popping up on social media: How they would save up their resources to travel, buy a match ticket (which are very expensive) just to watch and pay tribute to the team and player(s) they love and support.

The Day will come when people from all around the world – every tribe, every tongue, every people and language – with their cultures preserved, will gather at the feet of Jesus to ascribe praise and worship to Him in His heavenly stadium, flying banners of each country and people group.

I can imagine the roar in the heavenly stadium as the people – with shouts of victory and rejoicing, playing their instruments – declare the glory of God.

These will be the ones who have paid a great price through the Great Tribulation, and they will be crowned as more than conquerors and overcomers before our Chief Shepherd. And He will lead us to springs of living waters, and wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 7:14-17).

Nations, players and fans are all participants of the World Cup for the love of the game. May we be faithful and passionate followers of Jesus, and play to our final whistle – trumpet – for the love of the Lamb.

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