I am not particularly a sports fan, but I am a fan of community. I am a fan of culture. I am a fan of shared moments that bring people together.
At a time when loneliness is increasingly discussed, where many feel disconnected from their neighbours and local communities, and where public discourse often emphasizes our differences more than our common ground, these shared experiences matter. They remind us that we are capable of feeling something collectively.
Whether it was the Knicks after Game 5, or the World Cup, there has been something different in the air these past few months. For a few hours, the usual divisions become less important. Strangers high-five on the street, families gather around the television, entire cities wear the same colours. National teams inspire a sense of pride that transcends politics, age, and background. Whether that pride is rooted in a city, a country, or a team, it offers people a rare opportunity to see themselves as part of something larger than themselves, a rare chance to experience real-time culture together.
Perhaps that’s why sports continue to captivate us. They’re not just about winning championships or breaking records, they’re about satisfying a deeply human need for connection. They give people shared rituals, shared language, and shared moments that connect us to one another. Because in many ways, who are we without the stories, symbols, and traditions we experience together? Shared meaning is what transforms a crowd into a community. It’s what allows complete strangers to celebrate, drive, and hope alongside one another. In a world where so much of our lives are increasingly individualized and online, sports have offered something refreshingly collective, a reminder that we still crave experiences that unite us, even if only for a few hours.
And while I never imagined I would become invested in soccer (or football, depending on who you ask), there has been something profoundly moving about gathering with friends each week to watch our home country play. What began as a tournament quickly became something much bigger. It became an excuse to come together, to cheer, to hope, to celebrate, and something to grieve.
So, for that, I am grateful. Grateful for the friends who filled those rooms, for the community that made every match feel meaningful, for the tournament that gave us a reason to gather in the first place. Thank you to my friends, my community, and to FIFA.
