What boys can learn from this World Cup (and from Messi) beyond interest in the national team

As millions follow the 2026 World Cup, schools and families in Argentina are leveraging the global tournament as a unique educational opportunity, extending far beyond cheering for the national team. Specialists and educators agree that the event can serve as a powerful teaching tool, covering subjects from mathematics and geography to emotional development and social interaction, provided it is approached with balance and pedagogical intent.

The World Cup disrupts routines, dominates conversations, and ignites passions across generations. Children are deeply engaged, discussing results, trading stickers, following statistics, and echoing debates heard at home. Recognizing this widespread interest, many schools are choosing to incorporate the tournament into their educational programs, transforming spontaneous enthusiasm into a platform for learning, reflection, and meaningful experience sharing.

At the Aletheia school, large social events like the World Cup are seen as integral to school life. Director Laura Burzomi explains that the school cannot be isolated from the culture and events that mobilize society, especially those that spark questions, emotions, and conversations among children and families. This approach allows for projects that delve into diverse content, including the geography of participating nations, languages, traditions, migration patterns, national symbols, sports statistics, and even the science behind athletic performance.

Similarly, at Nueva Escuela Argentina 2000 (NEA 2000), the craze for collectible stickers became a classroom opportunity. Director Alejandra Salonia noted how the stickers, which had invaded play areas, were capitalized upon to teach mathematics. Students naturally engage in calculations related to completing albums, identifying duplicates, and determining necessary trades. These activities also extend to learning about flags, countries, and global cultures. For teachers like Florencia Z., a third-grade instructor, the World Cup provides a unique chance to motivate students, who are often passionate fans of football and players like Messi, adding significant enthusiasm to daily lessons.