The Feel-Good Side of the World Cup
July 21, 2026
by Morayma MaKay
Writer / Blogger & Content Creator
Adulthood Rewired
Biography: Morayma Makay is a fashion model, mother, and writer. She has
dedicated the last 20 years to working in the fashion and health fields as
both a researcher and content creator.
“Support your wellness.”
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Every few years, something pretty amazing happens…people who may not speak the same language, come from the same country, or even cheer for the same team suddenly find themselves sharing the same levels of joy and excitement together. Cities fill with flags from around the world, restaurants and bars buzz with fans wearing different jerseys, and conversations with complete strangers often begin with one simple question.. “Who are you rooting for?”…despite the language barriers!
More Than Just a Goal.
The World Cup has always been about soccer (or football as most will say!), but it’s also about something much bigger, and as the tournament takes place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this year, it’s been joyous to watch communities come alive in such an inspiring way. Cities have welcomed visitors from across the globe, local businesses have filled with international fans, and Americans have had the chance to experience other cultures without ever leaving home while our international friends have had the chance to see what the USA is really all about! It is undeniable that seeing so many people gather for a common purpose, even if they’re cheering for different teams is beneficial for our hearts and souls.
The Power of Community.
We spend far too much of our time hearing about the things that divide us, especially over the last few years. The news, and much of social media, is adept at focusing on conflict, disagreements, and everything that’s going wrong. The World Cup has offered us a refreshing reminder that people can come together around something joyful. Walk into almost any sports bar or public watch party, and you’ll see it happening…families, friends, tourists, and longtime locals are sitting side by side, celebrating great plays, laughing together, sharing their cultures, and congratulating one another after the final whistle blows. For a few hours, the focus shifts away from everyday stress and toward a shared experience, and that sense of connection is actually so good for us.
The Benefits of Shared Experiences.
Studies have actually shown that shared experiences, including something as simple as watching a sporting event with others, can strengthen our feelings of belonging and community. Cheering together, celebrating together, and even experiencing the occasional heartbreak of a close match creates social bonds that contribute to our emotional well-being, and it’s one of the reasons sports have always brought people together. The World Cup also reminds us how much we can learn from one another. Visitors bring their traditions, music, food, celebrations, and enthusiasm with them, while many Americans have welcomed the opportunity to share a little of their own culture in return….and, in many ways our international friends have opened our own eyes to all of the things we have to be grateful for in our own backyards. Things we too easily take for granted or forget about when the news is bombarding us with everything we “do wrong”.
It’s been incredible getting to see international fans discovering local restaurants, exploring American cities, and experiencing the unique hospitality that so many communities take pride in offering. At the same time, Americans have been introduced to new traditions, chants, and customs that make the tournament unlike any other sporting event in the world. This kind of cultural exchange has a way of making the world feel a little smaller, and those moments may seem small, but they’re often the ones we remember long after the final match has been played.
A Cup of Joy.
There’s another wellness benefit all of this camaraderie and community brings that’s easy to overlook…joy! As adults, we don’t always give ourselves enough opportunities to simply enjoy something. We spend so much time thinking about work, responsibilities, schedules, and the next item on the to-do list that moments of collective excitement become surprisingly meaningful. Watching a match with friends, celebrating a dramatic goal, or hearing an entire crowd erupt in applause reminds us how good it feels to share an experience with other people.
Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or someone who’s only tuning in because the tournament is close to home, there’s something special about seeing so many cultures represented in one event for all of us. The World Cup reminds us that while our traditions, languages, and favorite teams may be different, excitement, hope, and celebration are things we all understand. Perhaps that’s one of the tournament’s greatest gifts, because beyond the scores and championships, it gives us a chance to connect, to be curious about one another, and to appreciate how much richer life becomes when people from around the world come together!
