Meat, Flying, Watching Football [premium]

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the tournament is met with significant criticism, extending beyond the usual controversies. The event, spread across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is characterized by exorbitant ticket prices, extensive travel distances, and a substantial carbon footprint. Climate think tank "New Weather Institute" estimates the tournament will emit as much CO2 in five weeks as Croatia does in a year.

Politically, the World Cup is overshadowed by potential human rights violations and the self-aggrandizing presence of figures like U.S. President Donald Trump. German publication "Der Spiegel" anticipates a World Cup that will be anything but "normal," highlighting the challenges and controversies surrounding its hosting.

However, the article posits that amidst these valid criticisms, the pure enthusiasm for the sport can still find a place. The history of World Cups is not without moral failings, as seen with the Qatar tournament. Yet, the author argues that the excitement generated by the games, the stories of underdogs and heroes, and the sense of togetherness can create a separate layer of experience. The question remains whether one can look forward to this World Cup, especially when the world faces wars, crises, and injustice.

Pope Leo XIV offers a perspective, calling sports a "universal language" and a "school of brotherhood" that promotes peace. He emphasizes that team sports teach that no one can be saved alone, a message particularly relevant in times of extreme polarization. While acknowledging the ethical dilemma, the article suggests that enjoying the sport does not automatically make one complicit in its problematic aspects, even as the massive business of FIFA, fueled by ticket sales and advertising, prompts calls for boycotts.

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