I found religion in the World Cup
A retired soccer skeptic discovers the World Cup’s rituals, drama and global appeal, then confronts the politics, hero worship and toxic masculinity that test his faith.
By Walter Hesford | FāVS News Columnist
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News.
I’m a recent convert to World Cup religion. One of the perks of retirement is that I can watch endless matches morning, noon and night on my TV, so I’ve been thoroughly mesmerized by and initiated into this religion.
I’m an ideal convert since before this TV viewing I knew little about association football, aka soccer. I have not an athletic bone in my body and an aversion to organized sports.
Perhaps I’m emotionally scarred by my memory of what occurred one summer in my youth when I worked in Manchester, England, and attended a Manchester United game. I thought I would die in the shaking stands amid a mad mob of swaying fans.
I also remember hearing of the success of the U.S. women’s soccer team a few years back. There is a lot of evidence that many ancient religions were women-centered and came from matriarchal cultures, but maybe I was waiting for a more male-centered religious community to join.
Discovering the World Cup’s global religion
The opening ritualistic pageantry of the World Cup games first drew me in. Led by flags, the players parade on to the field holding the hands of cute kids. I can imagine myself back in ancient Greece or Rome, being ceremoniously initiated into my country’s cult.
The players and kids gather by each country’s national flag, and its national anthem is sung. What an expression of devotion to state religions!
So many countries are involved in this mode of football. They come from Africa and Asia, Europe and the Americas. This is truly a global religion. Even little Cape Verde partakes. (I’m particularly fond of this team since there were many Cape Verdeans where I grew up in southeast Massachusetts.)
Rituals, mysteries and the faithful
After the opening pageantry, the passing of the football between the players and teams begins. What entrancing rhythms are displayed. I’m reminded of Sufi dances. What intricate patterns are created. I’m reminded of Buddhist and Navajo sand paintings, gathering in all the vibes in the universe, swept away as soon as created. Are these patterns meaningless or full of significance?
World Cup religion, like most others, has mysteries. Can anyone really explain what offside is, and why it is taboo?
World Cup religion includes a diversity of devotees. When a Christian player scores a goal, he often crosses himself or points to heaven to praise his God. When a Muslim player scores, he often kneels and bows in praise of Allah.
If the soccer gods prevail, though, the game remains without a goal or tied until the end when there is an apocalyptic shoot out. Individual players face off against the goal keepers. It’s a dramatic resolution.
So World Cup religion has it all: high drama, intriguing rituals, inscrutable mysteries, global reach. What’s for a convert not to love?
When politics and power tarnish the faith
Well, for one thing, politics. FIFA, the Cup’s governing body, is scandalously political. This was very apparent that it was swayed by Trump to retract a red card penalty that would have kept a key U.S. team member out of the match with Belgium. The poor performance of the U.S. team during this match is proof positive of the harmful effect of mixing politics with sports or religion.
Then there is the hero worship and media influence that sometimes seems to control the results. For example, in its match with Argentina, Egypt was robbed of a goal so that Argentine’s Messi could display his messianic powers that we all admire.
Finally, there may be more than a dash of toxic masculinity in World Cup religion. As Megan Feringa reports, several men playing in the Cup have been accused of rape. The rape of women may be accepted practice in this as in other patriarchal religions.
All of this taints the faith of this World Cup devotee but will not keep me from watching until the final match. I’m already getting ready to suffer withdrawal symptoms. Maybe I’ll find some new religion on TV to which to devote myself.
Perhaps, instead, I should devote myself to an actual world religion devoted to relieving the actual suffering of people in the actual world.
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