NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, was teeming with national pride on July 4th with fans wearing red, white, and blue, celebrating America’s 250th birthday. In addition, there were thousands of fans wearing bright red jerseys, bedazzled straw hats, and green stars all supporting Morocco or Canada in their knockout game in the FIFA World Cup. But it wasn’t just Canadians or Moroccans donning the colors: spectators from all over the globe came out to support the teams. What brought me the most joy was seeing the team colors for countries not playing that day, or even at all in that round. Many showed up in the jerseys of their countries of origin or the countries they felt most connected to. To name a few, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Mexico, Senegal, and the USA were among those represented (along with the jerseys of die-hard Messi and Ronaldo fans of course). This inexplicable ability of a sporting event to bring together people from all over the globe felt almost spiritual.
The experience of the game felt the same. Maybe I’m biased as a soccer fan, but being a part of the crowd was one of the most invigorating moments of my life. The rush among fans every time their team came close to making a goal was tangible (as was the groaning and despair when they missed). Synchronized chants and spirited drumming filled the stadium. Though the crowd was split based on which team they supported, amongst the cheering, boundaries dissipated.
The Canadians lost this game, and their hopes of progressing further in this year’s World Cup ended. Yet, their fans left the stadium with a smile. The chance to come together with their fellow Canadians and support their team thousands of miles away from home seemed to be a victory in and of itself. It was abundantly clear that one of the greatest gifts of the World Cup has been its ability to reinforce the world’s sense of common humanity. Drs. Kristin Neff and Chris Germer talk about common humanity as the shared experiences, vulnerabilities, and interconnectedness of all people. It is the recognition that despite our surface-level differences, every human being experiences similar emotions, hardships, joys, and the fundamental need for dignity.
As a social species, humanity thrives off of connection and shared experiences. Being in community with others gives us the space to feel like a part of something greater. It allows us to break free from the daily, isolating monotony many of us may face. This monotony, while ensuring our lives are as boring as possible, also takes away from our mental health. Isolation and loneliness can increase chances of developing anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. Chronic loneliness greatly diminishes a person’s satisfaction and quality of life, which is often linked to how long we live. The less we are satisfied with life, the shorter that life may be. A 2025 World Health Organization report shows that 871,000 deaths every year are linked to prolonged loneliness.
Loneliness and a lack of community can also take a toll on a person’s physical health, including poor sleep and an increased susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. A study conducted at UCLA in 2015 showed that people experiencing chronic loneliness have white blood cells that display weakened antiviral responses (PNAS, Vol. 112, No. 49, 2015). It is clear that strengthening our ties to community are vital to ensure we are living a healthy and fulfilling life.
Community connection provides emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging that helps to lessen the impact of loneliness and isolation. It also creates a sense of shared identity and purpose. Being part of a larger group encourages individuals to contribute toward shared goals while feeling that their actions matter. Sport has long served as a spark for creating communities by bringing together people from different backgrounds under a shared passion. The collective joy during victories and the shared disappointment during defeats create emotional connections that transcend barriers that can otherwise create divisions, such as age, nationality, race, and socioeconomic status. During this World Cup, I’ve found myself cheering on teams alongside spirited eight-year-olds and forty-five-year-olds alike from opposite ends of the globe. Somehow, soccer has never failed to encourage inclusivity and mutual respect. The excitement of the tournament has even drawn out some of my friends who have never once tuned into a soccer game before.
The World Cup also promotes unrivaled intercultural exchange. Fans from dozens of countries have traveled to host cities. Houston alone has welcomed over 500,000 visitors because of the games. With them come their traditions, languages, music, and customs. Rather than emphasizing differences between fans, the World Cup highlights the shared love of the game. Fans frequently exchange chants and stories, forming friendships that surpass borders. These bonds foster compassion and challenge stereotypes, contributing to a broader sense of global belonging and resilience.
Collective celebration following important victories generates feelings of joy and hope and reinforces bonds by creating shared emotion. Even following losses, communities provide mutual support and encouragement. Shared emotional experiences remind individuals that they are a part of something larger than themselves: common humanity. This then reduces feelings of isolation as it strengthens their sense of identity.
Ubuntu, African philosophy translates as “I am because we are.”
Of course, sporting events alone cannot solve mental health crises. However, they can create environments where connection, belonging, and positive social interactions flourish. The relationships formed through community engagement provide emotional support that strengthens resistance to life’s challenges. Once a part of a community, individuals are more motivated to seek help when needed, celebrate successes together, and navigate adversity with greater confidence. Beyond goals and trophies, the World Cup leaves a lasting legacy of transcendent connection, proving that when people come together, they create healthier, happier, and more supportive communities for everyone.