World Cup Soccer Fandom Spotlights the Human Need for Belonging
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
8:36 PM on Sunday, June 14
By Kelly Balarie, Spiritual Life
The World Cup has begun. The crowds cheer. The excitement in the air is palpable. The atmosphere of joy, of anticipation, and excitement is so thick that you can breathe it in and feel it in your bones. This is your team’s year to win. The team’s got the players. They rose to the occasion during the season and finished strong. You know what they are made of. You know the story of every player: their injuries, their hopes, their family stories. And now? To be there to see them in action live, while so much is on the line? It’s a privilege. A slice of history, perhaps.
You breathe it all in… There is almost nothing as beautiful as the beautiful game. The moves, the dance on the field, the hope of the players, the finesse of the touch, it is all as gripping for the viewer as it is for the player. Here, in the stadium, thousands chant. Collectively, the whole stadium leans as the player lines up on the edge of the field for the corner kick. There it goes, you watch the ball -- right in front of the goal. Perfect shot! As if everyone is unified in one accord, hearts beating together…, then you hear it – bam!
It’s Goooooal!!!!!!!!!!
The stadium roars in unison. People high-five people they don’t even know.
“Great header!” One says to someone they have only met five minutes ago.
“I know,” they reply, extending their hand for a high five.
Smiles are big. Drinks are splashing. Joy is overflowing. Somehow, it feels like a deep connection and a sense of belonging to a tribe. That longing for belonging is one reason soccer fandom can feel so powerful. It creates camaraderie among fans who find commonality in feeling like "This is our team. These are our people. We are winners."
Why Is Soccer Fandom on the Rise?
It is no wonder soccer fandom is on the rise in a big way. North American fans have risen by 10% in 5 years to, now, more than 136 million. In fact, MLS Cup has increased by 97% since 2024. Even the MLS Cup saw a 97% increase over 2024 with Inter Miami’s victory, proving that domestic soccer is reaping the benefits of increased interest as well,” said Nielsen.
Soccer is on the rise not only among men but also among women. Notably, interest is higher in the US, amongst women, than in Europe. It is not a sport only men love; women are just as involved, as are people from all nationalities and generations. What is making new fans?
What Is Making New Soccer Fans?
There are 4 Stages of Fan-making according to a recent Samford study called the “4P Soccer Passion Model.
- Stage 1 is “Player-First Entry.”
This means a fan follows a specific player. Something grabs their interest, and that player has their attention. - Stage 2 is “Following Players to Their Clubs.”
This fan then starts to follow a team of interest, becoming more engaged. - Stage 3 is “Adding Domestic Leagues as Supplement Content.”
This fan begins to extend their reach to more clubs and a greater expanse of fandom. - Stage 4 is “Deep Engagement and Permanent Passion.
American soccer fans tend to be highly focused on soccer, rather than spreading their interest to other sports.
With heightened interest in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, videos highlighting their special moves, and fans going wild at their arrival, people are engaging, pulling them into Stage 1. With the World Cup in action, fans are moving into stage 2 and beyond.
What does This Say About Soccer & The Body of Christ as a Whole?
For fans, soccer means belonging to a tribe. It is seeking a cause. It is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. It is sharing joy with other believers in the game. It is a high five to someone you haven’t even met before, yet a person you seemingly already know and love. Why? Because you have a deep common interest – a love for your soccer team. It is going all out for something you believe in. It is screaming your head off when the ball goes in front of the goal. It is chanting your team’s name. It is high interest. It is buying the World Cup ticket, despite the price, and going all in.
Does the Church Reflect the Same Passion for Jesus?
Maybe the Body of Christ can learn something from soccer fans…. Maybe this is what passion really looks like. Not because worship should imitate a stadium, but because love for Christ should never become a lifeless routine. Do we exhibit and release the same passion in the stadium as we do for Christ in the church? Or, do we get in a repetitive rut of standing and sitting, going through the motions of the pattern of church for an hour just to make it home to the TV?
When church is more routine, when pastors become hidden behind walls rather than available in connection, when a cookie-cutter approach to Jesus begins to take shape that is more mental than heartfelt, followers perhaps start to follow something else. They want more. Soccer is a place to find it. One is wise to reflect and ask themselves: What if we were just as excited about Jesus in church as we are about any game? What if we cheered Jesus the way we did our favorite team? And, what if churches welcomed passion for Jesus in worship that rivaled any game’s highest passion? Cheered. Had anticipation.
Indeed, likely, we as people in American churches would need to get past judgment. Maybe that’s what people love about this worldly game – there’s no judgment, just mutual love. High fives. Understanding of the common goal of loving God and others, with unity. Shouldn’t the church be that way, as it loves God? Perhaps it is not soccer that people are most after, but something much deeper… What if it is the raw joy of getting out of the 9-5 PM rut most find themselves in? What if it is about not being in a conformed environment, but about being in a raw situation when anything can happen?
Or, perhaps, it is a chance to live vicariously through another who is succeeding when they have yet to do so. Perhaps it is about feeling fulfilled even though they are not. Perhaps, it fills something more... Research increasingly shows that loneliness and social disconnection are serious concerns in American life, which helps explain why shared experiences like sports can feel so powerful.
How Can the Church Offer Deeper Belonging Than Any Stadium
No matter, the church is in a unique place to meet these needs, and beyond... Jesus is thrilling. The Holy Spirit is guiding. Adventure in Christ is awaiting. The desire for connection, passion, and dedication – the body of Christ uniquely addresses. Each church, when it follows its unique call in Christ, has a distinct mission. The less they try to be like the next church, by talking the same way, doing the same things, and the more they discern through the Holy Spirit who they are meant to be, the more real things will get. And, the more people will really feel engaged, thrilled even.
There is so much available to us, together, as believers who believe. Who by faith are on the field of God’s calling. Those who are reaching out and touching others. It is exciting. The thrill of a life we cannot control, the unity of believers, the joy of real connection – these things are more than available to us, as true believers in the mighty church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soccer Fandom and Christian Belonging
- Why is soccer fandom growing in America?
Soccer fandom is growing through international stars, domestic league interest, World Cup attention, social media highlights, and the powerful sense of belonging fans experience around a shared team. - What can Christians learn from soccer fandom?
Christians can learn that people are hungry for passion, joy, unity, and belonging. Those longings point to the deeper community found in the Body of Christ. - Should the church feel like a sports stadium?
No. Worship should not imitate sports hype, but Christians can still ask whether their love for Jesus has become passive, routine, or disconnected from joy. - How does the Body of Christ offer a sense of belonging?
The Body of Christ offers belonging through shared faith, worship, service, love, mission, and unity in Jesus rather than temporary excitement around a team.
For Further Reading
- Why Do We Look Up to Christian Athletes?
- The Faith of Soccer Star Tim Howard
- What Does Body of Christ Mean in Relation to the Church?
- Fellowship, Belonging, and What to Do if Your Church Stinks at Both
- Why Are We Lonelier Than Ever in a Connected World?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Josip Ivanković
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; be encouraged weekly by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, a cheerleader of faith, is a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly loves seeing the power of prayer in action. She loves seeing the expression on women’s faces when they realize – their God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
