Watching fútbol is never just about the game. It’s about the people we share it with, the memories we create, and the moments that bring us together.
Unity is the word that comes to mind whenever the FIFA World Cup arrives every four years. Along with that comes another thought: what do we call the game itself?
Americans know the sport as soccer, which -to my surprise- actually originated in England. In the late 1800s, university students abbreviated “Association Football” to “Assoc.” Like many student slang terms of the time, they added the suffix “-er,” eventually transforming it into “soccer.”
Years later, as the term became associated more with the United States, England gradually returned to using football, a name adopted by most of the world. In Latin America, it is simply called fútbol, pronounced much like “football” but with its own beautiful cultural flavor.
And football -or fútbol to me, seems the most appropriate name, given that it is played with the feet.
No matter what we call it, the game has a remarkable ability to bring people together.
Football is the universal language that brings people together.
Every four years, nations from around the globe gather to celebrate the world’s greatest football tournament. Before qualifying for the World Cup, national teams compete through regional tournaments and qualifying matches to earn the right to represent their countries on the biggest stage.
I don’t follow every qualifying match, but like many sports fans, I know enough about my favorite teams to get excited. And when the World Cup arrives, everything changes.
The excitement becomes part of my daily life.
I can’t wait to watch the matches. Being Latin American by birth, I naturally find myself cheering for teams like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, or really any team from our region. After that come some of my longtime favorites from Europe—Spain, Italy, and France.
During a match, I become completely invested. I cheer, celebrate, groan, and occasionally laugh at the commentators who seem convinced they know exactly what every player is thinking. I make fun of them with whoever I’m watching the game with and enjoy every pass, save, and goal.
In many ways, it reminds me of the years I spent watching my children play sports. Soccer, basketball, football… you name it, they tried it. And I was probably one of the loudest parents cheering from the sidelines.
I never understood parents who forced their children to continue playing a sport they clearly didn’t enjoy. Not every child is meant for every sport, but every child can find some physical activity that helps them grow, learn teamwork, and build confidence.
But back to the World Cup.
This is a sport filled with adrenaline, not only for the players but for the spectators as well. Stadiums become oceans of color as fans proudly wear their national colors. Chants echo through the stands, each one carrying the traditions and spirit of a different culture.
Supporters pour their hearts into every moment.
When a goal is missed, they suffer.
When a player gets hurt, they feel the pain.
When their team loses, their hearts break.
We don’t just watch the game. We live the game.
Thousands upon thousands of fans fill the stadiums. For ninety minutes, plus halftime and added time, two groups passionately support their nations.
They become rivals on the field, but something fascinating happens in the stands.
Despite supporting opposing teams, everyone shares the same experience. Everyone feels the tension, the hope, the joy, and the heartbreak. Everyone understands the language of the game.
For a few moments, thousands of strangers become one voice.
And then there is the famous Wave.
One section stands, then the next, and the next, until an entire stadium moves together as one giant pulse of energy. For a few moments, team loyalties disappear, and thousands of strangers become a single crowd united in celebration.
What a sight to see.
And the players… Oh, the players!
They run endlessly, chasing every opportunity to score. They sprint across the field with incredible speed and determination, fighting for every possession while trying not to commit a costly foul.
Of course, football has its dramatic side.
When a foul occurs, some players collapse as if they’ve experienced the greatest pain imaginable, only to spring back to life a few seconds later and continue running as though nothing happened (after a little bit of limping). It’s one of the sport’s most entertaining traditions… even if it occasionally tests our patience.
Then there is the referee.
Running up and down the field alongside the players, whistle in hand, making split-second decisions under enormous pressure. Sometimes they seem perfectly positioned; other times they appear to be standing exactly where the play wants to go. Uuuhhhh that makes me crazy!
And when they reach for a red card, everyone pays attention.
A red card means a player has committed a serious offense and must leave the match and perhaps be suspended for one or more games. Yellow cards serve as warnings, reminding players to keep their emotions and tactics under control.
One of the best developments for this World Cup is the implementation of more accurate tracking of added time. Excessive time-wasting and exaggerated injuries are less effective than they once were, as they are now timed; helping keep the focus where it belongs, on the game itself.
No matter how dramatic players, coaches, commentators, announcers, referees or fans may become, I love every minute of it and everyone who makes this incredible tournament possible.
Tonight, I can’t wait to watch Colombia and Uzbekistan play and, at some point, scream at the top of my lungs:
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL!!! ⚽️
Just like a Univision announcer. 😇
And perhaps that’s the magic of fútbol.
For a few weeks every four years, people from every corner of the world come together. We may speak different languages, live in different countries, and support different teams, but for ninety minutes+, we all understand one another.
Thank you to the incredible players who bring so much joy to millions of people around the world during the FIFA World Cup.
🌷