More Than a Game: What the FIFA World Cup Reminded Me About the Power of Sport - by Christine A. Mosher, LICSW

Over the past several weeks, I have had the privilege of volunteering at the FIFA World Cup in Boston as part of the Hospitality Team. My role has been simple, welcoming fans, helping them navigate the stadium, directing them to their entrance gates, and answering questions, but the experience has reminded me of something much bigger than soccer.

As a psychotherapist who specializes in athlete mental health, I spend much of my professional life talking about the emotional impact of sport: confidence, resilience, identity, teamwork, belonging, and mental well-being. Yet standing among thousands of fans from every corner of the world has reminded me that the power of sport extends far beyond the athletes on the field.

It reaches every person in the stadium.

One of my favorite memories was during the Haiti vs. Scotland match. Fans wearing the colors and flags of both countries stood side by side, smiling, taking photos together, and sharing in the excitement of the day. The famous Tartan Army arrived in Boston exactly as you would imagine, with kilts, bagpipes, endless enthusiasm, and an infectious sense of joy that had everyone around them smiling.

A few days later, during the Norway vs. Iraq match, I watched fans from countless countries, cultures, and languages gather peacefully to cheer for their teams. Norway supporters wearing Viking helmets formed long “rowing boats,” moving together in perfect rhythm while chanting “Ro!” Around them, fans from many different backgrounds joined in the celebration, creating an atmosphere that felt welcoming, respectful, and genuinely joyful. And France fans showed up with their passion for “Les Bleus,” and proudly singing their national anthem.

Perhaps what struck me most were conversations with visitors who had traveled to the United States for the tournament. Several shared that they were unsure what to expect before arriving. Much of what they had seen about America through the news focused on political division, violence, and conflict. They admitted they were a little nervous.

Instead, they found something entirely different.

Here in Boston, they were welcomed with smiles, kindness, and people eager to help them enjoy their experience. Volunteers, local residents, and fellow fans created an environment where everyone felt included, regardless of where they came from or which team they supported.

Watching these interactions unfold reminded me that while our world often emphasizes the things that divide us, sport has an extraordinary ability to highlight what we have in common.

We all want to belong.

We all want to celebrate.

We all want to feel connected.

For ninety minutes, people who may not speak the same language, practice the same religion, hold the same political beliefs, or come from the same culture stand together united by a shared love of the game.

As a mental health professional, I believe these moments matter.

Human connection is one of the strongest protective factors for emotional well-being. Shared experiences create empathy. Celebration creates hope. Community reminds us that we are not alone.

Sport provides all of these.

In a world that often feels divided, sporting events like the FIFA World Cup remind us that there is still far more that unites us than separates us.

Whether we’re wearing the colors of Haiti, Scotland, Norway, Iraq, the United States, or any other nation, we’re all cheering for something bigger than a final score.

We’re celebrating our shared humanity.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest victories that sport can ever offer.

As I continue my work supporting athletes, coaches, teams, and organizations, experiences like these reinforce why I believe so deeply in the power of sport. At its best, sport strengthens not only our bodies and our performance, but also our relationships, our communities, and our mental well-being. It teaches us resilience, fosters compassion, builds confidence, and reminds us that we are capable of overcoming challenges together.

Whether you’re a young athlete dreaming of your first championship, a coach shaping the next generation, or simply a fan cheering from the stands, sport has the remarkable ability to connect us in ways that few other experiences can.

It’s one of the many reasons I remain so passionate about supporting athletes, not only in reaching their performance goals, but also in helping them thrive as healthy, confident, and resilient people, both on and off the field.

As I leave each match, I find myself carrying the same feeling of hope. One match. One stadium. Thousands of people from around the world. Countless languages, cultures, traditions, and stories. Yet for a few hours, none of those differences stand in the way of kindness, celebration, and connection.

Perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts that sport has to offer. It reminds us that, despite our differences, we share far more than we sometimes realize. We all long to belong. We all seek joy. We all want to cheer for something bigger than ourselves.

One match. One stadium. Thousands of people from around the world. One beautiful reminder that, despite our differences, sport has an extraordinary ability to bring out the very best in humanity.