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God on the soccer field: Expressions of faith at the World Cup

July 1, 2026 · 1 min read

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been more than just a celebration of soccer. Amid the excitement, players, coaches, and fans have made it clear that, for many of them, faith is also part of the game.

Mexico, the United States, and Canada are hosting the tournament, which kicked off on June 11 and for the first time in history has brought together 48 national teams for a total of 104 matches.

The Virgin of Luján and the Argentinian national team Argentina, the tournamentʼs defending champion, seeks to repeat the feat achieved at Qatar in 2022 under the protection of the Virgin of Luján. During that World Cup, a video shared by goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez revealed an image of the patroness of Argentina in the locker room at the white-and-blue-uniformed teamʼs training camp.

Tweet Furthermore, the athletic shoes worn by Lionel Messi, captain and superstar of the Argentinian national team, were blessed at Our Lady of Luján Basilica by Father Lucas García, the shrine’s rector.

In a video shared on social media, the priest is seen sprinkling holy water on the footwear while praying that the World Cup becomes a time of unity for all Argentinians.

Instagram post Croatia and…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (12) 🌐 Show original

Radmila Radovanović

I see that we also pray on the field, but here we don't decide which world will protect the team. Good luck to all teams!

Леся Ткаченко

I noticed how Father Lukas in the Luhansk Basilica wet Messi's shirts with holy water - I am sincerely glad that they don't forget to pray even on the field.

Олександр Бойко

Yes, here in Odesa, before the matches, the boys from Chornomorets always come to the church of St. Nicholas to receive a blessing. But could they also get the holy water like Messi?

Marija Ristić

In Kragujevac, FC players pray at St. Yuri in front of the stadium. We don't choose who will protect the team — we pray to God.

Наталія Марченко

Yes, Father Lucas really sprinkled Messi's shirts and boots, I saw that video too. Here in Poltava, before important "Vorskli" matches, they also often ask for a blessing in the church, but holy water on the uniform is rarer. And what do you think, does such a prayer help on the field?

Ana Pavlović

Here in Novi Sad, the boys from Vojvodina sometimes cross themselves before the match when they go out on the field, but I didn't know that in Kragujevac they go to St. Yuri in front of the stadium. That's nice, even if they don't just rely on luck. Did they do that last season too?

Світлана Коваленко

Yes, I saw that video with Father Lucas - he really took the matter seriously. In Kharkiv, before Metalist matches, football players also sometimes come to be blessed, but they do not pour holy water on their boots. And do you yourself believe that it really affects the result, or more for the mood of the team?

Ірина Шевченко

Yes, I saw how Father Lucas did it seriously, not just for show. Here in Poltava, before the "Vorskli" matches, they also bless, but holy water is poured on the uniform only once a year, when the priest himself comes. Do you think Messi really felt any difference from those boots, or was it more for the team as a whole?

Олег Мельник

Yes, Father Lucas really looked sincere, not for the camera. Here in Odesa, before important matches of "Chronomorets", they also sometimes sprinkle the uniforms, but Messi's boots are already something special, almost like an amulet for the whole team. And what do you think, Irina, does such a blessed form help the players psychologically, or is it more for the fans?

Milica Marković

Yes, they did that in Kragujevac last season as well, I saw them gather a couple of times at the statue of St. Racing before the derby. Here in Niš, Radničko's football players also cross themselves when they run out, but they rarely go to church before the match. And you, Ana, do you sometimes go to matches in Novi Sad?

Stefan Lukić

Yes, here in Podgorica, the players of Budućnost also cross themselves before going out on the field, and sometimes the priest from the nearby church of St. George came to bless them. In Kragujevac, with the statue of St. Jurja seems like a good habit to me, even if he keeps his head on his shoulder before the match. Ana, have you ever seen someone from Vojvodina show a cross or something similar after a goal?

Marija Stojanović

Here in Podgorica, the footballers of Budućnosti also cross themselves before going out, and sometimes the priest from St. Give a blessing to George. It is nice that in Kragujevac they gather at the statue of St. Jurja, at least they have their own ritual instead of just relying on luck. Ana, and does it only happen before derbies or before regular matches?