Countries across the globe compete with each other in the massive soccer event The World Cup. To many, the games played are not mere sporting events. They hold many meanings: from a collection and demonstration of some of the most hardworking people on the planet, to a show of skill, sportsmanship, and perseverance. These elements all help transform these games from exciting to absolutely magical.
Taking place every four years, the FIFA World Cup is the biggest competition in the soccer world. It is also the only soccer tournament with worldwide participation, unlike the Copa America or Euros where only a few countries in a specific area are able to compete. 32 countries put up their best players and fight for the achievement of being the World Cup winners.
The camaraderie that develops when students enjoy World Cup matches together are bonds that can last forever.
While there are many concerns surrounding the location of this year’s World Cup in Qatar, and the creation of their stadiums, the game remains the same. There have already been many shows of support for national teams by their loving fans, which goes to show how much the game is loved no matter the circumstances.
The camaraderie that develops when students enjoy World Cup matches together are bonds that can last forever. Haverford is a diverse school with students from varying cultures and nationalities. The World Cup enables students from differing backgrounds to connect on a personal level in a setting outside of school or clubs. One of Haverford’s main virtues is community, so the school should prioritize watching the World Cup during the school day.
In addition, the World Cup will never be hosted again during the school year, when we are at this age and with our friends. Since this culmination of soccer talent is a quadrennial event, most Haverford students may not have this opportunity again until their 20s or late teenage years. This makes all the difference to many students. The World Cup games are a way to cherish and relish the moment now, rather than focus on the future, as we do so often in terms of sports and colleges. Without events like these to ground us in the present, we get lost in the flow of our work, and time flies by, often too fast.
Even though some students do not follow the sport of soccer, despite it being the most popular sport in the world, this completely changes when it comes to the World Cup.
The World Cup is not just a mere faceoff between countries from all around the world, to many students, especially high schoolers, there is more to it: in every pass, there is meaning; in every touch, there is a purpose.
The World Cup is not just a mere faceoff between countries from all around the world, to many students, especially high schoolers, there is more to it: in every pass, there is meaning; in every touch, there is a purpose. In my eyes and in the opinion of many soccer fans around the world, these matches are the culmination of our heroes’ aspirations. It is the highest level of performance on the most well-known stage in the world.
Due to the sheer importance and timeliness of this event, students and teachers alike should have the ability to watch the World Cup games during school. We only live once.
