Goooooal!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off yesterday.

Mexico opened the vuvuzela-fest with a 2-0 win over South Africa in Mexico City following a Shakira-led opening ceremony (listen to the Official Song of the Cup). The U.S. starts kickin’ tonight against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium Los Angeles Stadium after a Katy Perry-led ceremony and a welcome from Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis.

Meanwhile, Haiti got an early yellow card for violating FIFA’s ban on political imagery with its kits’ depiction of the island nation’s 1803 War of Independence.

On the court, a star-studded Madison Square Garden watched the Knicks complete the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history (29 points). After OG Anunoby’s last-second tip-in (watch it), the blue-and-orange are one win away from their first Larry O’Brien trophy since 1973. Game 5 is tomorrow in San Antonio.

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Sports can be a field where spiritual fruit grows. Through sports, we experience the thrill of victory, resilience of defeat, the beauty of teamwork, and the delight of play. As you watch, cheer, and discuss sports, keep first-things-first by focusing on growing Christlike character, not just the scoreboard. 

“We also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 
Romans 5:3-5 (CSB) (read full passage)