The World Cup is here again, and I am reminded of some of the previous tournaments, especially the one that took place in the United States in 1994 (Yes, I am that old!).
Things were very different then, because even though I was a relatively poor seminary student, I was able to afford tickets to two games (Italy-Nigeria and Argentina-Nigeria). Thirty years later, I am still jealous of my older brother, who saw all the Romanian games that were played in California .
In 1998, I remember watching the World Cup in a kibbutz near Megiddo, where I was part of an excavation. I watched the semifinal (France-Italy) with an Italian Egyptologist friend whom I had to leave afterward in obvious pain, stuck to his chair with his head bowed down after the Italian loss. That was the last year my homeland of Romania made the World Cup, and it’s memorable because they beat England that year!
No doubt soccer is a game of passion. Billions of fans in hundreds of countries around the world watch, play, and passionately love this game. And now, for more than a month—the longest World Cup in history, with the most teams participating—48 teams will compete for the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy.
As a lifetime fan (although a more lukewarm one now, to be honest), my memories of the sport go back all the way to my childhood in communist Romania. It’s the one sport I played nearly every day, from childhood through my youth. I still remember how disappointed I was if there was a major rain (it had to be major) and I could not play soccer that day. It almost made me sick!
But time has passed, and I am now much older (and hopefully wiser). What can I say about this worldwide sport—so popular, so filled with passion, money, and fame? Here are some thoughts, both positive and negative.
Keep Yourselves from Idols
Christian, be careful! Baal was not just an idol in ancient Canaan. Perhaps more than any sport, soccer (“foot-Baal,” if you will) has become an idol. Don’t be fooled by the popular statement that “religion is dying.” That’s patently false. Just go to any stadium and watch the people there. You will see more joy and sorrow than you ever witnessed in a charismatic church. For many people, corporate worship has been replaced by one sport or another. And while many will complain about their church asking for money, the same people will happily open their wallets to pay for an $800 ticket to a World Cup game. Take note: If you and your kids would rather miss church than a game (whether playing or watching), something is very wrong. Repent and realign your priorities (and wallet)!
It’s Just a Game
Christian, don’t forget that it’s just a game! If you see Cristian Ronaldo (or Messi, or Christian Pulisic, or Cristian Rata) weeping after losing a game, then be wise to discern that something is very wrong. It’s wrong and sad to see a grown adult completely brokenhearted just because the other team put the ball in the net more times than they did. If you take it as “just a game,” you will be able to enjoy it for what it truly is. You can laugh some, maybe shed a few tears, but still be able to shake the hand of the winner and congratulate him. That’s a balanced approach. It’s maturity. Grow up and weep for what really matters: lost souls, not games. If it’s more than a game, it’s too much!
See the Fields, Not Just the Field
Soccer (and other sports) can be and have been used effectively for missions. In fact, that’s how I met my wife, on a mission trip to Moldova with Charity Cup Ministries. This is a US-based ministry started by Romanian immigrants which started doing missions through sports, especially soccer and volleyball. It began in Moldova and has spread around the world, and uses sports as a bridge to connect to people with the ultimate goal of bringing the Good News of salvation. It is a fact that sports have been used effectively for missions at home and around the world—one also thinks about Upward Basketball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, etc.
And for many of us Christians (particularly teachers or students in Christian environments), the only place we meet nonbelievers is on the “playground.” There is a rumor that the Dean of the School of Evangelism at a well-known seminary and I play in a soccer league mainly to interact with unbelievers (can neither confirm nor deny). When I taught in Korea, most of the unbelievers I knew I met while cycling around the country. In that context, I had small windows of opportunity to connect and “image Christ” through gracious, joyful, and hopeful behavior within the cycling community. Take action: If your job or study finds you mainly around Christians (i.e., people like you), then consider sports as a way to meet unbelievers and be a light. If you are very good at a sport, then explore how you may be able to use this talent to reach unbelievers.
We Can Do More Together
Last, but not least, especially if you are a member of a Southern Baptist church, then think about partnering with the International Mission Board (IMB) during this “sports invasion” of the USA from all over the world. Because soccer is such an international sport, and watching with friends and family is such a memorable experience, IMB teams across the world are bringing together communities to watch the game. The young and the old gather for a chance to watch a game and unite in cheering for their countries. This provides a context where people can become friends and unbelievers can hear the Gospel. The vision of the IMB teams around the world is to spark spiritual conversation and build relationships. During halftime, missionaries are even able to share the Gospel with the people present. Take action: Pray for these teams and know that you can help them financially to reach the nations with the Gospel at the World Cup.
Our Lord Jesus Christ reminded His disciples that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37). The World Cup makes that plentiful harvest visibly obvious. This is a great context in which we can pray, think, and give from our time and money, all in order to reach the many nations who spend so much time and effort for a crown that fades, and a joy which can easily turn to sorrow (just ask the German and Korean fans…).
I pray that, whether you watch the next game or not, and whether you are a great or a lukewarm fan, you will approach this game with a mature attitude. Understand that soccer is just a game, and don’t make foot-Baal your modern Baal. Be sad if your team loses, but don’t make it a tragedy. Lost souls rejoicing over a ball is a much greater tragedy.
Rejoice if your team wins, but do it with class and compassion. Perhaps we can all learn something from Carlo Ancelotti, one of the greatest managers in football history and the present coach of Brazil. After the recent win against Japan, he barely flinched and had a muted reaction. He explained it this way, “I looked across and saw a Japanese team that had given absolutely everything. … I know exactly how painful a defeat like that can be. … Sometimes the best way to respect your opponent is to remain humble in your biggest moments.”
If USA wins today, rejoice and stay humble. And if we lose, remember that there is a much more important battle, and that has already been won. Let the joy of the World Cup fans rebuke our lukewarm hearts for the things of God! And let’s pray that we all love God much more than soccer or any other sport or sports team (including the Cowboys)!
