The Surprising Unity of Soccer
This article explores how the World Cup fosters a unique sense of global unity that transcends national borders. It argues that sports fandom allows individuals to hold multiple, non-competing loyalties to different countries and cultures.
Why it matters
It provides a cultural perspective on how global events can mitigate nationalistic tensions and promote human connection.
The World Cup reminds us that loyalty doesn’t have to be bound by borders.
Maja Hitij - FIFA / Contributor / Getty July 11, 2026, 8 AM ET Share Save This is an edition of The Wonder Reader, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a set of stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight. Sign up here to get it every Saturday morning.
One of my favorite parts of the World Cup is asking people a deceptively simple question: What team are you rooting for?
In some cases the answer is obvious, but in many it isn’t. I always root for Colombia, where I am from. Yet I live in the United States. My father is Mexican. My grandfather is Argentinian. When Colombia was eliminated, I didn’t stop watching—I simply found myself cheering for someone else. My loyalties don’t compete; they accumulate.
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