I have not been to any World Cup matches, nor do I have plans to attend. I have seen match highlights on social media platforms. I’ve seen even more coverage and postings of team fans, and I have been moved to tears by their camaraderie, their unity, community, spirit, and optimism.
How can anyone with a heart not take an immediate liking to Scotland’s Tartan Army? Can its legions drink that much and still be conscientious enough to clear away the trash from wherever they have been?
How can you not want to join the jolly Viking ship oar-pulling of the Norwegians? How is one not enamored of the Dutch fans’ togetherness and cheerfulness or the costumes and the smiles of the Japanese? And on it goes.
Pick a team and be mesmerized at something we haven’t collectively had here in years: joy. Forget about the matches, the fans from overseas have been a tonic. As the song goes, sort of: We’ve got the fever and you’ve got the cure.
In the U.S., we’ve been on edge for years, exhausted and anxious due to the incessant, divisive, self-serving, alienating antics of one Donald J. Trump. He’s been front-page news even during the Joe Biden presidency.
So, for 10 years most of the country has been waking up every day wondering what misguided, dangerous, cruel, or wasteful executive order or policy will he and his band of foolish sycophants foist on the American public. What insults will he hurl or vendettas will he order to smear anyone who criticizes him or his actions? We shudder at what international embarrassment he will cause next, what chaos he will unleash, what unqualified, loathsome toady he will nominate for an essential post.
Who knew that the 2026 World Cup, via the arrival of masses of zealous fans obsessed with the game of football and devoted to their teams, would bring respite to a country fractured and exhausted from mean-spirited politics and a whiny brat who somehow became president ― twice!
Their singing, dancing, cheering ― and frankly, their civility, humor, warmth, and goodwill ― have kindled a memory of what once was, and hopefully ignited possibilities of what we can have here again. Thank you Scotland. Thank you Norway, Thank you Netherlands. Thank you Japan and all the countries that reminded us in the USA what it means to be caring and unified.
Scott Benarde is a Post reader who lives in West Palm Beach. He wrote this Your Turn for the Opinion Page.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: World Cup brings joy to a nation in need of it | Opinion
Reporting by Scott Bernarde / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Bernarde | USA TODAY Network
