Soccer World Cup 2026
More Than a Game

Soccer and Solidarity
How did the World Cup generate a global wave of support for Egypt and Morocco?

For many, supporting the Egyptian and Moroccan national teams was not merely about the action on the pitch; it was rooted in a cultural and emotional bond. What explains this widespread affinity? Layal Timany explores the cultural and emotional factors that allow certain sporting events to transcend the boundaries of mere competition.

Sustainablity
Green Goals

FIFA is promising a greener World Cup. Yet the 2026 tournament will be bigger than ever before. Air travel, high temperatures and social issues make it clear just how difficult it is to make global soccer sustainable.

North America
From Maya Ballgames to Equal Pay

Mexico, USA, Canada: the three North American countries are jointly hosting the World Cup 2026. However, soccer has evolved very differently in each of them. From Mexico, with its millennia-old tradition of ballgames, to the big unknown that is Canada, we introduce you to the three nations and their soccer traditions.

Between Integration and Exclusion
Identity on the Sidelines

Soccer is more than a game — it often becomes a mirror of larger social debates. Few other spaces reflect as clearly how a society negotiates diversity. The sport’s immense emotional power is especially evident in the national team, where questions of integration and belonging become visible.

Sport Psychology
The Head Decides

The mental strategies elite athletes rely on can be just as powerful in everyday life. Prof. Markus Raab of the German Sport University Cologne explains how to build resilience and manage stress effectively.