What the 2026 World Cup Is Teaching Us

Featured image:  The World Cup is more than a sport — it teaches us about the importance of curiosity/ Photo by TintMedia via Envato

The FIFA 2026 World Cup™ is more than a sport

by Carolyn Ray

All over the world, we’re witnessing a shared moment of belonging with the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Even if you’re not a football fan, it’s impossible not to feel buoyed by the celebrations, passion and joy being expressed by citizens around the world. The World Cup is the one event where we all speak the same language – a love of the game and pride in our national identity.

That’s because the World Cup isn’t just about a sport — it’s an invitation to find common ground, share cultures and learn from each other. As someone who has spent years travelling the world, I believe in the power of curiosity. I believe that diversity makes us stronger. And I believe that through travel, we can cultivate kindness and understanding, all qualities I’ve observed throughout this World Cup. Isn’t this the kind of world we all strive for — one that is just, fair and inclusive?

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The influence of the World Cup

The influence of the World Cup can’t be underestimated. Whether you are watching it or not, it’s having a positive effect on tourism all over the world. In Costa Rica, where I’ve spent the past week, every television set in every restaurant, coffee shop and bar is playing the World Cup, attracting locals and tourists alike. Beyond the obvious financial benefit to small businesses, these are all opportunities for us to connect, talk, and ask questions of each other.  

According to FIFA, more than 54 million people across the three host nations of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico alone tuned in for their respective opening matches. The United States’ opener against Paraguay drew 27.5 million viewers, while Mexico’s match against South Africa drew 23.4 million. Canada’s match against Qatar at BC Place Vancouver was watched by 11.7 million viewers nationwide, making it the most watched FIFA World Cup group stage match ever in Canada, according to the B.C. Government.  

More importantly, the World Cup is an invitation to learn, activate our curiosity and celebrate the diversity of our world, right in our own backyards. It’s a chance to turn off the news and walk out into the streets of our own city or the country that we are travelling in, and discover for our selves how welcoming the world can be. 

Three things the World Cup is teaching us

The World Cup is an invitation to observe, activate our curiosity and learn.  Here are some of my observations, as we enter the final stages of the World Cup: 

We are all equal on the field: It doesn’t matter if you’re from a small country, like Cabo Verde, Haiti, Curaçao or the Ivory Coast, or a larger one, like France or Portugal. When teams compete, they are simply athletes, adhering to a global set of rules and regulations. This promotes a sense of equality, garnering the respect of the opposing country and its fans. Much like travel, the World Cup is an invitation to express our curiosity and appreciation for the diversity of our world.

People are people: There’s something very unifying when we all experience the same emotions — joy, despair, gratitude, respect.  These are universally felt and shared, and they remind us that we are all connected, a feeling we also get when we travel.  Travel opens our eyes to what’s real, not what the propaganda we often see on the news or in social media. No doubt those returning from the U.S. will have a different impression than what they read in the news before they arrived. Instead of bombastic, ego-driven speeches from the U.S. administration, World Cup guests are leaving the U.S. with new friends, happy memories and so much ranch dressing that the TSA had to issue an alert.

How to appreciate other cultures: Qualifying for the World Cup is years in the making, and a huge source of national pride and admiration. The World Cup is an opportunity to learn about each country’s unique story of struggle, accomplishment and effort to reach the World Cup stage and be part of a global event. Not only did many cities host rallies in support of other countries’ teams, we’re also learning about the symbols, traditions and behaviours of each country. Whether it’s Norway’s rowing prowess or Morocco’s “sir” clap, adapted from the Viking thunderclap, the World Cup is a chance to ask questions and learn, just like travel. How many of us wondered where a certain country is on a map? Or are now considering travel to a country after witnessing its sportsmanship and passion on the field?

The World Cup is also about belonging

A sense of belonging is fundamental to our well-being.  Even Maslow put belonging above physical and safety needs. As travellers, we can help create a sense of belonging and support each other on our journeys of life.

Creating places that foster belonging is one of my personal goals at JourneyWoman. It is what drives me, every day, to advocate for women’s travel. This is why we conducted “Invisible No More”, a global research study to help the travel industry understand women over 50, why we started a Women’s Speaker’s Bureau, launched our JourneyWoman Awards for Women Over 50 and our “Ageless Adventuress” travel podcast this year. These are all efforts to create inclusivity and belonging. 

As JourneyWoman begins its 33rd year of publication as the world’s first solo travel resource for women, I am honoured and privileged to be carrying Evelyn Hannon’s legacy forward. I am proud to be Canadian and I am proud to be holding space where women around the world can connect and belong. Together, I believe we are making a difference.

Wherever you are, I urge you to turn off the news, reach out, connect with a stranger and celebrate our shared humanity. And yes, watch the World Cup! 

I’d love to hear what you’ve experienced with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the comments below. 

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