As the second week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (WC) approaches, we have already had interesting results. Canada scored its first World Cup goal on home soil, the United States had a dominant first game, and tiny Curaçao scored a goal against mighty Germany (they still lost 7-1). The energy for the games is growing as the first WC game ever hosted in Vancouver is fast approaching.
In honour of the festivities, we wanted to dig into some interesting Catholic stories and topics surrounding the beautiful game, including the likelihood of a Vatican World Cup team, the love of many recent popes for soccer, and the surprising number of Team USA members who outwardly profess their Catholic and Christian beliefs. Enjoy!
Could the Vatican play in the World Cup someday?
Absolutely yes, especially since FIFA is looking to potentially increase the number of teams to 64 in future championships, and there are several smaller nations that have qualified in recent years, including Curaçao, Haiti and Cape Verde (remember also the excitement around Iceland's qualifying in 2018.
The Vatican would need to join the UEFA (The Union of European Football Associations) first before being recognized by FIFA. There is currently a rule that requires being a member of the United Nations, and at the moment, the Vatican is a permanent non-member.
Pope Francis did meet with the head of UEFA to discuss the possible routes to joining, but the extremely commercial nature of the WC and the political causes pushed by FIFA could be stumbling blocks. Perhaps the Vatican could help influence WC narratives and help build more unity throughout the game.
None of this discounts that there is a history of soccer within the Vatican. As far back as 1521, calcio storico, the Italian precursor to soccer, was played there for Pope Leo X. In 1924, a Swiss Guard team was formed. In 1946, the Holy See team defeated Vatican City in a match of note. The next year, the first soccer tournament took place. Two decades later, the first official Vatican City soccer team was founded in 1966. Under the name “SS Hermes Musei Vaticani,” its members include restorers and museum guards.
Eventually, the league expanded to include teams such as: Gendarmerie, Fabric of St. Peter, Library, Administration of the Apostolic See, Post Office, Technical Services, Vatican Radio, L’Osservatore Romano, Economy and Vatican Archives.
Besides the league, the Amateur Sports Association (ASD Sport) also holds the Sergio Valci Cup, an annual men's domestic round robin tournament played in Vatican City, which was founded in 1973. The 2 winning teams play in a “Supercup.”
The Swiss Guards, Papal advisors and museum guards make up the national team who, at this stage, only play friendlies. Further developments are needed, but you may see a Vatican WC team at some point.
Soccer and the Popes
If you looked at the last four Holy Fathers, you might think that as Catholics, we all should all play soccer. Pope John Paul II was a goaltender of note in his native Poland. He supposedly once said that “Of all unimportant things, soccer is the most important”.
Pope Benedict XVI played soccer as a youth in Germany and was a fan of Bayern Munich. Argentinian Pope Francis didn’t see himself as a good player, but he loved supporting his home team, San Lorenzo.
Pope Leo (who is a big sports lover) has both Peru and the United States to cheer for. He has said he played with a homemade soccer ball when he was young.
Recently, Pope Leo made headlines when he prayed for the World Cup, and sports in general, with the prayer: “Lord of Life, we thank you for the gift of sport, for those that glorify God through the exercise of their bodies for the friendships born on the field and the joy of playing as a team…Lord Jesus, may every sport become a parable of life lived with you, working with joy, living with humility in defeat and with gratitude in the victory that you offer in your Resurrection.”
Pope Leo’s June prayer intention is for sport to foster peace and encounter.
Catholic representation on the American soccer team
In my last column, I mentioned some of the Croatian Catholic participants in this WC. Interestingly, the United States has quite a faith-filled lineup. It is inspiring to see teammates in professional sports who are able to share their faith and therefore grow closer and more united.
Christian Pulisic, forward, otherwise known as Captain America, always wears a cross necklace that his mother gave him.
“I always feel God is close to me,” he said. Despite serious injuries, his faith has never wavered: “God has a plan for me.”
Cristian Roldan, midfielder, has stated that he is representing the United States, Latinos , and most importantly, God, saying, “Jesus is everything.”
Matt Freese, goaltender, said that at times when he was younger, he had to attend Mass in his soccer jersey because he had a game after. In games, he will often say the aspiration “Gods got me.”
He listens to Fr. Mike Schmitz, “The Bible in a Year”. “I want to spend time every day with my faith.”
Weston McKennie, midfielder, spoke about his faith recently, saying, “I believe that God always has a plan. There is a journey that is set out for you.”
Mark MacKenzie, defender, feels that soccer is his way of glorifying God. “You are vessel for God,” he said. “When I am doing well it is not because of me, it’s because of the Lord seeing me through—if I am in a valley it is because the Lord is trying to get something out of me.”
Chris Richard, defender, has spoken about bible studies and prayers that he shares with teammates. “I have never been part of something like this before in my career,” he said about his faith.
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