The World Cup and Its Eschatological Prodding

Introduction

As I write, the Round of 32 is wrapping up at the 2026 World Cup. The most recent victors are about to enter the Round of 16 where each participant must win their remaining games or suffer elimination on the international stage. For over three weeks, teams representing 48 countries have competed for national pride and the chance to win the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The grandeur of the event is undeniable as teams and fans have traveled across 16 stadiums in three North American countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Although each team hits the pitch in opposition of one another, there is an astoundingly rare quality of unity present at this quadrennial event. It is unusual to witness representatives from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia harmoniously converging on one place with one focus for weeks at a time. When I see the scores of fans and players from diverse nations packing three to four stadiums each day in the name of soccer (futbol), I am reminded of the eschatological reality that by His blood, Christ has won for Himself a people “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).

Undoubtedly, there is an incredible amount of pagan idolatry occurring during the World Cup. For example, I heard one announcer state that the people of Argentina should worship Lionel Messi! For being good at soccer?! Psht. Blasphemy. A hat trick cannot compare to creating the cosmos and forgiving the sins of humanity (Col. 3:16-17; 1 John 2:2). Additionally, I am pretty sure that Morocco was not relying on the mediatorial work of Christ when their head coach led them in prayer just before they took PK’s against the Dutch (great game, by the way). Nonetheless, the redeemed mind can look on the event and readily imagine a time when people with differing languages, customs, and ethnicities will experience a stronger unification than what is taking place during the ongoing international soccer tournament.

A Holy Nation

One day, if you are Christ’s, you will witness with your eyes the present spiritual reality that God has made for Himself one “holy nation” comprising of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (2 Pet. 2:9). The basis for the holy nation’s unity far exceeds a child’s game and a chance to win an 18-karat gold trophy. The Name at the center of their unity is supremely holy and far above mortal men like Messi, Mbappé, Ronaldo, Haaland, and Pulisic. Their song is not a unique national anthem but rather they lift one banner singing one anthem in exaltation of the One King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 4-5).

A Blessed Nation

Coinciding with the festivities of the World Cup is the 250-year anniversary of one of the host nations: the United States of America. Media reporters have gushed with the retelling of how much Europeans who came to watch their nation participate in the World Cup possess a newfound love for America and Americans. While I wish their reasons for admiring the States revolved around the godliness of its people, their reverence for the Lord, and the beautiful architecture of our faithful churches, I am thankful to a degree for objective praise. America, despite all its idolatry, political unrest, and its wavering economy, is a great place to live. Why? Because God has blessed and is blessing her.

When I was a teenager, I said rather innocuously, “God bless America.” A liberally minded friend angrily asked, “Why should God bless America? Why should he bless America more than any other nation?” I don’t remember what I said but I do remember being shocked. And I remember that her fists were clinched. If I could relive this moment and respond again, I would say, “He shouldn’t. But he has. And being blessed by God is good.” Sure, we could talk about the Christian morality of the Deistic Founders and the many unshakable Christian churches, people, and pastors in America’s history as reasons to garner God’s blessing; but we do not have to reach deeply into our bag of Calvinism to know that every American has been or is totally depraved and undeserving of anything good from God. So today, I thank you God for Your blessing of 250 years upon a nation that is not always united, not often obedient, and ever forgetful of how marvelous it is to be blessed by You. With the psalmist, I praise You, saying, “You are good and do good” (Ps. 119:68).

The Blessing of All Nations

Now, with the World Cup and my friend’s emotionally charged question in mind, I turn to say that God has blessed every nation no matter their political structure, military capability, financial well-being, or religious ideology (and yes, all nations should bend the knee to Christ, see Psalm 2). How can I make such a claim that God has blessed every nation? Thankfully, the World Cup’s eschatological prodding has reminded me that before the foundation of this world, it was God’s good intent to raise up His Son Jesus to conquer sin, death, and hell through His sinless life, gruesome death, and miraculous resurrection. Then, with an eye on people from every nation, the Son of God commissioned eleven men who, by the power of God the Spirit, took the message of Christ into Europe, Asia, and Africa (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). The message could not be stopped and 2,000 years later, it is still saving souls from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Every nation is blessed because God blesses people from every nation. He does this chiefly through salvation in Christ by making members from every nation into members of a holy nation that will still thrive millenia after the final World Cup champion has been crowned. Therefore, as Christians, we do not support the blurring of boundaries, erasing of national and cultural distinctions, or institutionalized or functional racism. Why? Because the existence of various nations comprising of people who look different, sound different, and cheer for a different soccer team uniting to form one holy nation through Christ alone brings God glory. If there are no nations, how shall God gloriously possess a people from every nation?

So, fill in your nation’s name here: God bless ________! And if you mean it, go share the gospel with your countrymen. I hope to see America in the Quarterfinals and hope to see Americans in the New Heaven.