I’m married to a soccer guy. When we were dating, I had some idea of his love for soccer, but it wasn’t until well into our married life that I realized the depth of his passion. (He would eagerly wake up at 3am to watch English Premier League games!)

But I’ll be the first to admit: I don’t love soccer nearly as much as my husband does. While I am growing in my appreciation for the sport, I don’t really understand how a game can go for ninety minutes and end in a 0-0 tie. (For that matter, I barely understand the concept of offsides!) And if you are like me, this can make the upcoming World Cup tournament feel conflicting. Those around you love the game and are deeply invested in the outcome, but your first instinct might be to sit this one out.

But recently, God has been changing my perspective.

While I may never be as big a soccer fan as my husband, I do believe that Christians should be paying attention to this particular tournament. All around us, the people in our neighborhoods are turning their eyes toward the World Cup. In fact, everywhere I turn, I see merchandise, billboards, commercials, and social media posts focused around soccer.

With over 5 billion people around the world expected to watch this summer's matches, this is an opportunity that believers simply can’t afford to miss. The World Cup isn't just about what’s happening in a stadium; it’s about the global atmosphere of connection, curiosity, and community that the tournament creates. And the good news is that we don’t have to be passionate soccer fans to engage with our neighbors relationally and spiritually during the World Cup! This moment in history is for all of us.

A few months ago, our family brainstormed some different ways that we could use the moment of the World Cup beyond a traditional watch party concept. We tried to think about things that we enjoy doing as a family — as well as activities that our friends and neighbors have shown interest in over the years.

And through this exercise, we realized that there were actually a lot of different ways to engage with the World Cup — all without having to be a soccer fan. What's more, many of the ideas were opportunities available for diverse groups of people — including young kids, immigrant communities, grandparents, and more. (We call this document The Outreach Idea Generator — and you can download that document at the end of this article).

Are you struggling to know how to interact with the World Cup this summer? Here are some of the ideas that we came up with:

• Cooking with Friends: Pick one of the 48 participating countries and invite a few friends or neighbors over to cook a meal from that culture. Food is a universal language that starts deep, spiritual conversations far more naturally than a sports broadcast ever could.

• Neighborhood Block Party: Summer is the perfect time to bring the whole street together. A block party focused on community and friendship is a powerful way to engage entire families and build a sense of belonging that lasts long after the final match.

• Movie and/or Board Game Night: If soccer isn't your speed, host a board game or movie night instead. Don't worry — you can still have a soccer game playing in the background, if you want. It’s about creating a "third space" where people feel comfortable enough to share their lives with you.

The Goal is the Relationship, Not the Game

Whether you are organizing a pickup soccer game for the kids in the neighborhood or hosting an evangelism training seminar for your small group, the objective remains the same. We are looking for relational touchpoints, small moments of connection that open the door for spiritual conversations.

In just a short few weeks, the World Cup will come to an end. One nation will take home a trophy — and eventually, everyone will put their jerseys back in their closets. But the relationships we build and the Gospel seeds we plant this summer will have the potential to last forever.

Download The Outreach Idea Generator

Don't let a lack of sports fandom hold you back. Download The Outreach Idea Generator, gather a small group or your church family to discuss options, and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your steps. Ninety minutes might still be too long for a 0-0 tie; but if a soccer match gives me ninety minutes to sit beside my neighbor and show them the love of Jesus, I think that’s worth it.