A Moment Bigger than the Game – What Christians Shouldn’t Miss this Summer

This is a guest post by Andy Searles, Pastor of Church Together just outside Orlando, a chaplain for an MLS soccer team, and a leader within the Pro Soccer Chaplains Association.

One of the world’s most recognizable soccer players joined the professional team I serve as chaplain. He had won the Ballon d’Or—the award given to the best player on the planet—and was also known for boldly saying his identity was found in belonging to Jesus.

As a soccer fan, I was in awe. One of my heroes had joined my team, and my biggest concern was whether I could control my fanboying when I’d meet him.

He missed our first team chapel because of media commitments. But as I was leaving the locker room, he walked in and asked, “Andy, when are we going to pray?”

“How about now?” I replied, trying to act cool. We stepped into a quiet corner. I opened Scripture and began to pray. My mouth was speaking, but my mind was racing: “I’m praying with him!!!”

Then, in that quiet and unmistakable way, I sensed the Lord interrupt me: “Andy… focus. You may be praying with him, but you are praying to Me. He may be celebrated—but where do you think his greatness came from? You may be idolizing him, but your identity comes from Me.”

It stopped me in my tracks. God exposed something in me that day: sport is a wonderful gift, but gifts make terrible gods.

And whenever attention gathers, mission opportunity rises.

That realization matters because a global moment is approaching. June 11th marks the beginning of The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. It will be the largest World Cup in history: 48 nations, 104 matches, and billions watching worldwide. Cities will fill. Homes will open. Conversations will begin. Attention will gather.

Why This Cultural Moment Matters

I serve both as a local church pastor and as a chaplain to a Major League Soccer club. From those front-row seats, I believe God is doing something significant in sport right now.

For years, faith in sports often felt like a brief mention after success—a quick “thank God” before moving on. But something deeper is emerging. Increasingly, athletes are speaking openly about Christ, not only in victory, but in defeat. Not only in celebration, but in injury, pressure, disappointment, and uncertainty.

That matters because it reveals what many already know:

• Success is a fragile savior. 
• Performance cannot sustain identity. 
• Fame is a poor foundation. 
• Achievement may thrill us, but it cannot heal us. 

Our culture often asks sport to carry more than it was meant to carry. It becomes identity, refuge, belonging… even hope. Sport can be a beautiful gift—it builds joy, discipline, and community. But when any good gift becomes ultimate, it eventually breaks under the weight.

The gospel speaks clearly here. God does not merely expose misplaced hopes—He offers better ones. He redeems gifts and reorders loves. I believe that may be part of what He is doing through sport right now.

Why The World Cup Is Different

The World Cup is not just another tournament. It is one of the rare shared human moments left in modern culture. For a brief window, the world watches together.

Nations bring their languages, songs, stories, hopes, and histories. Neighborhoods become gathering spaces. Living rooms become bridges. Strangers become conversation partners.

For the Church, that should matter.

Scripture gives us a vision of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation gathered before the throne of Christ (Revelation 5:9). The World Cup is not that fulfillment—but it is a temporary echo of it; a glimpse of God’s heart for the nations.

And for a short season, many of those nations will be remarkably near, on our shores, in our cities, and in our neighborhoods. Wise churches should not ignore moments like this.

What This Could Look Like Locally

Many churches assume global moments require global platforms. They do not. Some of the most meaningful ministry opportunities during the World Cup may happen in homes, apartment complexes, coffee shops, and neighborhoods.

What if we saw the tournament not merely as entertainment, but as an opportunity to serve and connect?

What if believers opened their homes to host watch gatherings for neighbors?

What if churches became known during the World Cup not for complaining about culture, but for loving people within it?

This reflects the way of Jesus, who so often ministered around tables, meals, and ordinary relationships. Mission frequently advances not through spectacle, but through hospitality.

A Practical Pathway Forward 

What could this look like for your church?

Global moments don’t require complex strategies. They invite simple, intentional leadership.

Start by helping your church see this moment differently—not just as something to watch, but as an opportunity to engage.

Encourage your congregation to open their homes and create space for connection. Consider how your church might show up in your community in ways that are simple, relational, and welcoming.

If you’re looking for a place to start, here are a few ideas:

• Pray: Use the nations as a guide to pray for communities around the world.
• Kids Soccer Night: Invite local kids and families for an evening of games and snacks.
• Sermon Series: Consider a short series on unity or what it means to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Victory Beyond the Cup offers sermon resources to help you get started.
• Watch Parties: Encourage your people to host a watch party in their home. It’s a low-barrier way to build relationships with neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

And if you want to make it even easier for your church to take that first step, Victory Beyond the Cup provides a free Host Kit with ready-to-use tools—conversation starters, invitations, and ideas to help connect with friends and neighbors.

Ultimately, this moment isn’t about what the church organizes—it’s about how the church shows up.

Don’t watch from the sidelines.

The question isn’t whether people will gather—they already are. The question is whether the Church will meet them there.

So take a simple step.

• Pray intentionally.
• Cast vision.
• Encourage others to host.
• Put simple tools in their hands and let relationships lead the way.

You don’t need to launch something big to be part of what God is doing. Often, it looks like an open door, a shared game, and a conversation that goes a little deeper. Moments like this don’t come often—but when they do, they create space for connection, hospitality, and the Gospel to move through everyday life.

The world will gather around a cup. Let’s help people discover a greater victory.