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Global Briefing

The Duality of Sport being a Universal Language

Summary: They say soccer is a universal language. It fosters unity while simultaneously strengthening division. But how can the same game tilt the scales in both directions? This article will argue how soccer holds the power to reveal what lies beneath the duality of unity and division, as demonstrated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Aram Abu-Jazar 7 min read 1,292 words

The 2026 World Cup raised several emotions among spectators; a mix of excitement, anticipation, anger, and resentment. Being the first time in history where 14 Muslim majority countries qualified to play on the international field, the strength in unity was empowering (FIFA, 2026). Jordan made their debut. Iraq returned after a 40 year absence. Morocco was preparing to repeat their 2022 victory again. Without precedent, the ceiling of ambition and representation rang loud beyond the Arab world. Everyone turned to watch these milestone games. Displaced parents cried as they heard their national anthem being played in front of millions. Exchange students found belonging and community at watch parties. Children of immigrants watched athletes who spoke and looked like them compete against the biggest names in soccer. In Gaza, fans gathered in the midst of ruin and destruction to cheer and celebrate the achievements on the jumbo screen. For myself, hearing Mohamed Salah answer a young child’s question in Arabic stirred memories of being back home. The communal emotions of nostalgia, belonging, and unity were shared across borders. 

There is no coincidence that soccer fostered these warm feelings. There is a vast amount of research and literature that supports this idea. For generations, sport has been used to promote identity, belonging, and nationalist pride (Cha, 2009). Soccer has always been more than 90 minutes on a pitch. It holds our histories, both hopeful for a better future as it carries the grief of our past. A national team on the world's largest stage represents more than a competition for a trophy. It represents the defence of their existence, as their presence demands their right to recognition. Dave Zirin, a popular anti-Zionist political sportswriter, captures this perfectly: “If you degrade the national team, you degrade the idea that there could ever be a nation” (Zirin, 2012). For millions watching, the desire for victory is not purely born from competitive ambition; it can be argued that it is a form of defiance and determination. Defiant against the numerous obstacles that have historically held them back, and a testament to their determination to be afforded the same dignity and opportunity as every other athlete. The Iraq national team is a prime example that embodied this spirit. By returning to the international stage after a 40 year absence, their presence demanded praise to both their talents as skilled athletes, and as proof of their resilience and refusal to be forgotten by decades of war and oppression. Soccer brings forth these layered ambitions to the surface, as victory is never solely about raising a golden trophy. It becomes a pursuit of so much more. And since this is facilitated by FIFA, an organization that claims to exist beyond any political agenda, what could possibly stand in the way of its actualization?

The group stages started out typically; fans debated tactics, celebrated victories, argued over refereeing decisions, and spent tens of thousands on sports betting. Similar to any major tournament, memes and jokes spread across social media, highlights of powerful plays became popular, and songs and chants became trends. As the competition progressed, conversations began to change. Many began to question the fairness of the matches. Why did this athlete not receive a yellow card? Why was this play allowed? Why is VAR being used selectively? Rather than being dismissed by spectators and fans as routine tournament controversy, these questions grew louder and became more widespread as the games progressed. This all came to a pinnacle during the Egypt-Argentina match on July 7. The foul play was glaring. The treatment of the Egyptian athletes in comparison to Argentines proved to many that previous isolated refereeing decisions were not mistakes, but part of a broader pattern. To many viewers around the world, Egyptian athletes appeared to be held to a different standard. Earlier emotions of unity became heightened again, but they were unified in anger and indignation. This was no longer frustration over a competition. These emotions transcended the match, tapping into deeper anguish from a longer story of double standards and being denied equal treatment. 

Calling sport, specifically soccer, a universal language is true to an extent. Few things capture the attention of humanity as the FIFA World Cup does. The event overcomes divides based on borders, languages, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The rich and the poor, the young and the old, from the East to the West enjoy watching and participating in these games every four years. In this sense, it does in fact bring people together. This notion was supported throughout this tournament. Mexican and Korean fans danced and laughed together in the streets, cheering on their opponents when they saw defeat. Streets in Koreatown were painted green and red while Korean and Spanish chants echoed through Los Angeles streets (Lee, 2026). The sportsmanship and camaraderie here clearly surpassed rivalry. 

This solidarity extended beyond the stands, as demonstrated by Mexico supporting Iran in the face of political hostility. As the Iran national team were denied visas by the Trump administration and only granted entry strictly for each game, Mexico stepped up to host the players instead (De Loera-Brust, 2026). Rooted in their shared struggles against American aggression, Mexican affinity for Iran came in an outpour of support and celebration. Everyone saw the scenes of Mexicans waving the Iranian flag on their soil, holding up posters saying “Iran, you will never walk alone. Mexico stands with you”, all the while demanding their guests are treated just as their home team (Reuters, 2026). In sharp contrast, we saw different welcoming reactions on American soil. When arriving at their American hotel before their game, demonstrators stood before the Iranian athletes waving Israeli and American flags in opposition to their presence (Reuters, 2026). The stark differences between these two welcomes captures the profound ability sports has in exposing the realities and values hidden beneath the surface of glittering FIFA lights. 

How can the same game unite millions one day and amplify animosity the next? What happened during the Egypt-Argentina match, the Korean and Mexican friendship plastered over socials, and the contrasting treatment of Iran's national team in Mexico and the US all point towards the same truth: sport does not create unity or division. Rather, it magnifies and reveals what already exists. We wrestle with this paradox every four years; the harmonious hope of belonging and desire for equal treatment leading up to the tournament ends in heartbreak and feelings of reoccurring injustice. Claims of upholding fairness and honesty become a farce when they appear to be applied selectively, killing any hope that the pitch might offer what so many have never experienced: a level playing field. Ultimately, soccer is not merely just a game; it acts as a mirror. It reveals its capacity in encouraging unity and solidarity alongside its power to enact inequalities and prejudices. Rather than broadly claiming soccer is “good” or “bad”, it forces us to address the truth of our realities. This highlights the greatest essence of soccer; it does not allow us to escape the world we live in. It compels us to confront it.

Works Cited

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Aram Abu-Jazar

Contributor, The Wellness Press