Maybe the World Cup Is About More Than Soccer

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big soccer fan.

In fact, if you asked me the rules of the game, I’d probably fail the quiz. Ask me players’ names? Nope. I don’t know those either.

But over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself watching highlights, reading stories, and smiling at videos coming out of the World Cup.

Not because of the soccer. Because of the people.

If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen the crowds filling the streets, strangers singing together, families wrapped in their country’s flags, and fans from every corner of the world celebrating side by side.

And it got me thinking…

Maybe the greatest thing the World Cup has brought to America isn’t the sport itself. Maybe it’s perspective.

For what feels like forever, we’ve been surrounded by headlines telling us how divided we are. Social media thrives on outrage. News cycles compete for our attention with stories that leave us feeling frustrated, angry, or hopeless.

Then suddenly…The world shows up on our doorstep.

And instead of focusing on our differences, people are dancing together. They’re laughing together. They’re celebrating together.

I couldn’t help but laugh watching Scotland’s “Tartan Army” descend on Boston. They reportedly drank some bars dry, marched through the streets in kilts with bagpipes, and left orange traffic cones perched on the heads of Boston’s statues, a quirky tradition they brought from Glasgow. Instead of getting upset, Bostonians embraced it, took selfies with the cone-wearing statues, and joined in the fun.

Thousands of Scottish fans marched to Fenway Park, where “Sweet Caroline” became less of a Red Sox tradition and more of an international singalong. Imagine trying to explain that to someone a year ago.

I’ve watched videos of Mexican supporters filling city streets with music, Brazilian fans dancing with complete strangers, and locals trading scarves, flags, and stories with visitors from countries they may never have visited otherwise.

No one asked who voted for whom. No one cared what language someone spoke.

For a few weeks, people simply connected over something bigger than themselves.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve loved hearing visitors talk about the kindness they’ve experienced here. The hospitality. The excitement. The willingness of strangers to give directions, recommend a restaurant, or simply say, “Welcome.”

It serves as a reminder that the people we meet every day are often far different than the headlines we read.

There’s something refreshing about watching joy become contagious. You can feel it. The energy is different. Restaurants are full. Cities are buzzing. Kids are inspired.

Communities are gathering around giant screens, cheering for countries they’ve never even visited.

For a little while, it feels like we’re remembering something important.

Human beings were created for connection. We were meant to gather. To celebrate. To cheer each other on. To experience cultures different from our own.

Travel has always had a unique way of reminding us that, despite different languages, traditions, and customs, people everywhere want many of the same things.

To feel safe.

To belong.

To laugh.

To love.

To create a better life for their families.

Maybe that’s why events like the World Cup matter. Not because everyone suddenly becomes a soccer fan. But because they remind us that there’s still far more that unites us than divides us.

In a world where algorithms profit from conflict, it’s refreshing to watch something fueled by celebration instead.

Will the World Cup solve our problems? Of course not. But maybe that’s not the point.

Maybe the World Cup isn’t changing the world. Maybe it’s simply reminding us who we are when we’re at our best.

At our best, we welcome strangers. We celebrate different cultures. We laugh together. We sing together. We become curious instead of critical. We choose connection over division.

Optimism is contagious. Joy is contagious. Kindness is contagious.

And maybe if we spent a little less time consuming headlines and a little more time experiencing the world—and the people in it—we’d discover there’s still so much good worth celebrating.

Whether your team wins or loses, I hope one thing remains after the final whistle: A renewed appreciation for community, and a little more curiosity about the world.

And a reminder that sometimes the biggest victories have nothing to do with the score.

Sometimes, they come from simply coming together.

Denise xo