Cup-tied: The world is caught up in football fever!

With the World Cup just around the corner, Ewan Hall reflects on how the drive of athletes mirrors our own challenges — and how God steps in to give the strength we lack.

Four years have passed, and it is time once again for football’s great global tournament to kick off. Starting next Thursday (11 June), three nations – Mexico, Canada and the United States – will share the duties of hosting the 2026 World Cup.

Mexico’s team will begin the competition against South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium, aka the Azteca – the first stadium to become a venue for three World Cups. Another 103 fixtures will be staged in 16 stadiums across North America, as 48 teams – the most in the tournament’s history – represent their countries.

Carrying the hopes of their respective nations are the squads of England and Scotland, whose supporters will dare to hope that they will witness some memorable moments on the pitch.

Elite players spend years making personal sacrifices – such as missing holidays or family occasions – while pushing their bodies to the limit.

We may not be sport superstars, but commitments in our own lives can entail us making sacrifices. At such times, we can feel isolated and burnt out. We perhaps fear that our dedication is not paying off and so we struggle to continue. Thankfully in those moments, God is willing to help us.

The Bible records how God told one leader who was facing huge challenges:

If we put our faith in God, we can find the strength to keep going through tough times and through the moments of doubt that creep in when progress feels impossible.

He is able to help us tackle every challenge that we face.