5 takeaways for Christian parents from the men’s football World Cup

Manu Kone of France prays after winning the 2026 World Cup football match versus Iraq

Whether you and your family love football or actively avoid it, the biggest FIFA World Cup ever is currently underway. Chances are that you’ve at least heard what is going on, or maybe you’ve watched every single match. Regardless of your personal interest in the actual games, the move of many Christian players to make a public stand of faith on the pitch provides a great opportunity to bring faith into your family conversations in the coming days.

This isn’t a coincidental thing. John Bostock, former professional footballer and founder of Ballers in God shared an Instagram live on 30^th June about Christian players openly expressing their faith on the world stage. He shared that this is a deliberate move by Christian footballers and is happening under the umbrella of something called The King’s Return.

The King’s Return is built around Hebrews 9: 27-28 which talks about how we are destined to die then face judgement, how Jesus came to deal with sin and how He will appear a second time – not to bear sin because He’s already done that! – but to bring salvation to those waiting for Him.

The ‘Return of the King’ message shows you can play and love football

Their website shares the Gospel with an opportunity to respond. It also explains the message of the movement saying

“We all want the crown. A symbol of status, success, recognition and control. We want to rule our own lives, make our own decisions, and sit on the throne of our own hearts. But the crown was never ours to keep. One day, we will all stand before the King of all Kings. In that moment, our achievements, status and every good effort will fade. None of it can save us. That’s why Jesus came…” (The King’s Return | #TheKingsReturn)

There is a chat option on the site to give people the opportunity to ask questions, and John Bostock has shared that over 35,000 people have messaged so far; some have gone on to pray to receive Jesus for themselves. Sharing the Gospel is the heart behind the players publicly sharing their faith and it’s clearly having an impact.

The King is returning, so let’s live differently in the light of that wonderful truth

It’s not just players praying on their own or gathered in groups on the pitch, there’s a ‘Crowns Down’ celebration that Nmecha, a German player, did on the pitch after scoring. In the celebration, he kneels, puts his hands to his head as if to take off a crown, puts it on the floor then points to Jesus. This is a symbol of surrender – that in the one of the most significant moments of his playing career, he chooses to bow to Jesus and give the crown to Him. There are now many videos of other players doing the same action, as well as videos of fans caught on camera doing it in the stadiums.

Read more:

Which football team does God support?

4 things parents can learn from Christians playing in the football World Cup

Help your children enjoy the 2026 Football World Cup without idolising it

In Daniel 3, we read about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refusing to bow down to the golden statue Nebuchadnezzar had built. They made a public stand for God. When I read that story, sometimes I wonder if I would make a stand or if I’d duck down thinking “God will understand why I did this, I don’t want to rock the boat…”. Every day we face things that can become idols and we have a choice of what we go along with or bow down to, or when we make a stand to say we won’t. It would be easy for those playing in the World Cup to take the glory and praise from others. To take off a crown and point to Jesus however is a bold stand in front of a global audience. To take the moment in post-match interviews to talk about Jesus is courageous. I wonder where God might be prompting me to make similar stands in my life.

So, what could we learn from this as Christian parents and carers?

1. Football and faith don’t need to be in competition with each other! Let’s make sure our kids don’t think that they are. The ‘Return of the King’ message shows you can play and love football, but the ultimate purpose for your life will only be found in Jesus. If you’ve got kids who love football, show them what is going on. Find the social media pages sharing the stories and talk about it together
2. Modelling behaviours matter. These footballers are making a stand for their faith. They are carrying Bibles, praying before and after matches and gathering together for worship and Bible study. Talk to your kids about why those players are doing it. It could be a great chance to explore their own walk with Jesus, what might help them to grow in faith. Talk to your kids about where they think they make a stand for their faith in their day-to-day lives.
3. Intentional evangelism. Sometimes we shy away from sharing our faith. We’re living in a time when people are often very open to hearing why we believe what we believe. Who are we praying for? How do we make the most of those opportunities to share? Are we ready and intentional in our preparation? How do we help equip our kids to share their faith with others?
4. Share with your church about what’s happening on the ‘big’ stages and share what’s also happening on the ‘everyday’ ones too. Recently I shared in an all-in service at my church about what’s happening in the World Cup. Then I had different people talk how they’re living out their faith – at university, in secondary school and in the local community. Testimonies help others believe they can do it too, so telling stories to our children and young people will help them to know what it means to share faith today.
5. Pray for footballers and others using their positions to share Jesus. Encourage your kids to pray for them to continue to be a bold example for people to follow.

So, as the World Cup continues (and hopefully England keep progressing too) keep looking for the moments to talk about what’s happening. Follow the player’s stories on social media to encourage you about how the Gospel is being shared. And as the World Cup comes to an end, the opportunities to share Jesus will continue. We just have to be prepared to be bold and surrender.

The King is returning, so let’s live differently in the light of that wonderful truth.