“What we don’t want to see, sometimes hits us as hard as the truth”
Based on the notion of expansionism and domination, I will explain from my perspective, the parallel relationship between armed conflicts and the history of soccer tournaments; how the World Cup is not only a sporting event, it is a tool of symbolic power that has been used by empires like Qatar 2022, or corporate structures to produce political legitimacy like in South Africa 2010 or Brazil 2014 reinforcing nationalist narratives, rehabilitate international reputations, also the case of US 1994 and the upcoming 2026, country where “soccer” doesn’t have the same importance compared to other sports, but is needed to expand economic influence. Historically, every four years the most important soccer tournament was hosted by countries with some kind of tradition and cultural story in the sport, Germany 2006 was the last time that this rule applied for the event; after that, the World Cup became a tool used by these entities. In Germany 2006, the spirit and the “purity” of the competition got lost, maybe forever.
Of course, the history of these tournaments not only includes soccer culture, incredibly, armed conflicts were happening simultaneously while others of us applauded our heroes trying to win a soccer match. Stories underground of the Vietnam War and how the Mexican soldiers were dragged, sometimes forced to participate in it remain
engraved in my mind. Although the Vietnam War spanned almost five World Cups, nevertheless, during the 80s, it was one of the war stories most overexploited by American cinema. The cinematographic productions such as Platoon, Rambo or Apocalypse Now, repeatedly and sometimes absurdly portrayed the war, perpetuating the nationalist ideology of a country made for war, always emerging triumphant in armed conflicts.
Even today I wonder: A war during the soccer World Cup? How is it possible? An example of this in my recent memory is the 1982 World Cup that took place in Spain. The Falkland Islands war between Argentina and England was a confrontation that aroused the morbid curiosity of fans due to the rivalry on and off the field. Two world powers in soccer, but very unequal forces in terms of military hierarchy. It was not until the 1986 World Cup in Mexico that the two teams met; Argentina’s Diego Armando Maradona ended up doing justice for his compatriots, disqualifying his British enemies in the quarterfinals of the tournament, helped by the “Hand of God” and accompanied by an historic team.
Looking back at my childhood. I can see more clearly how the expansionism and domination of US culture in Mexico and around the world has influenced my life. As a young boy growing up in Mexico, I didn’t see the reality of how things worked around me, witnessing most of the people trapped in the hamster wheel, working all the time, with limited access to information, lack of economic resources, and television manipulation bombarding the subconscious day and night, there wasn’t much room for one’s own thoughts. What I observed in the streets and heard from adults created my perception of the outside world. The English I learned in those years was obtained from free textbooks, magazines, and other publications that came into my hands. Rumors and comments from neighbors, some lost news here or there in the media—that was more or less the best way to understand reality. However, when I heard the story of my neighbor’s brother who died as a soldier in Vietnam, I began to realize the enormous influence that the United States has had in my country.
The United States as a registered trademark. This nation must enter the conversation whenever money and power are discussed; various critics argue that it sells itself as a superpower only to intervene in other nations, citing help and protection. And in this way, can use its enormous military might and its multi-billion-dollar arms budget to improve its image in the world. The US has the strongest global economy; the country of abundance and opportunities. One thing is true: the US is so good at business that even in economic crisis and internal struggles, the American superpower continues to be the number one tourist destination in the world, the one that receives the most legal and illegal workers. For the US, the importance of “branding” itself as a benefactor and protector of the most vulnerable has always prevailed.
Territorial expansionism in search of oil and natural resources would not be feasible without cultural domination by manipulating information and the economy. The US engages in this by presenting as the winner’s brand. Who doesn’t like to win? The soccer tournaments play a role as a media distraction. Why do they continue despite
world conflict? Do they think we don’t realize that they are manipulating and distracting us? “Bread and circuses” remain the best strategy. When painful conflicts occur, these international events arrive like the perfect balm to heal our wounds and souls tormented by the horrors of war. The only time the World Cup was postponed was during the Second World War; since then, no matter the international conflict taking place, the soccer events are untouchable. Sponsors, television networks, and, of course, many political interests have made this event the best smokescreen in recent history. The perfect distraction in a society increasingly removed from reality. International conflicts or threats to world security seem to disappear.
In this way, the soccer tournaments have continued, being held alongside international conflicts in the midst of surreal scenarios. Other examples include the United States’ invasion of Iraq with the excuse of the existence of weapons of mass destruction—a pretext as absurd as the “political controversies with Venezuela,” Operation “Desert Storm” in Kuwait, or the war in Afghanistan, with almost two decades of duration and the withdrawal of American troops. All these absurdities are comparable to the whim of building soccer stadiums in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. A country where the bulk of its population lacks both the most basic resources to survive as well as a strong soccer culture. After the blatant deception by a group of wealthy businessmen who filled their pockets with millions of dollars by taking the soccer tournament to those exotic lands, at the end of the event, they disappeared, leaving the country with a handful of “white elephants” which are falling to pieces due to disuse. Preserving among their ruins a denigrating history of abuse and enslaved labor for years to build the dreams of a few unscrupulous leaders.
Qatar 2022 is no less pathetic and senseless. A World Cup “negotiated” with the United States, who was supposed to be the organizer that year. The event was bought by a group of billionaires with dreams of grandeur and enough petrodollars to build a city with a beach in the middle of the desert. Ultimately, the soccer tournament was played in Saudi lands, a territory totally foreign to any type of tradition or history in the sport, but the financial heart of the current world.
Now, let’s bring the conversation to the present time and discuss the upcoming United States 2026 World Cup. This summer we will not only experience armed conflicts and countries being invaded alongside the soccer tournament, but the event will be played in the worst political tension within a host country of the event in many decades. The climate of xenophobia, persecution of minorities, and racism that exist in this country today are going to further complicate the tournament, decreasing the influx of fans, thus affecting the usual celebratory spirit of this international event.
While Ukraine is at war, Venezuela is being invaded and handled like merchandise in the market by the big oil companies, Iran is being bombarded for not aligning with the American policies, and Greenland is harassed by the same compulsive buyer, we are going to experience another soccer event in the richest and most powerful country on the planet. In the midst of all this chaos, I ask you: How will it be possible to enjoy this event?
For me, this year marks almost 50 years of watching soccer and more than a dozen World Cups enjoyed alongside wars and international conflicts. Each and every one with its color, singularities, and very special characteristics. New stars will emerge, hungry to put their names on the list of legends of this sport, while others will leave the stage. Millions of people in the world will be watching the screen. For a little more than a month, our souls come together in a single shout.
But let’s not forget those who don’t have the same luck. Those who live in countries at war, those who are violated by their governments, or simply do not have the resources to enjoy the greatest sporting event on the planet, not even on television. Special mention for those young people who, instead of playing soccer, practicing another sport, or simply driving their parents and families crazy with love, are on the battlefield, fighting against people they don’t even know, for ideals that aren’t even theirs.
A cloud of hope will cross our skies once again. While on the horizon, that utopia of peace moves further away whenever we try to reach it. Why keep chasing it? Perhaps it is so that one day we can appreciate this sport we love so much in a world of peace and harmony… even if it’s only for a couple of months.
Final reflections
From the shadows and in my trench, I conclude this essay by saying: I hope that one day expansionism and domination between nations will end. I would like for us to finally be able to enjoy a soccer tournament in a land of peace, knowing and being conscious of the fact that there are no countries at war. Dreaming that the utopia of a world without conflicts arrives at least during a “World Cup.” Maybe one day we may have the spirit of the tournament back. Perhaps the problem is not soccer, but what we choose not to see while we are watching it.
Long live soccer.
This document is the intellectual property of Armando Acosta Ayala. Its total or partial reproduction, as well as its distribution on social media or any digital medium, is strictly prohibited without the express authorization of the author. © 2026 Armando Acosta Ayala. All rights reserved.