WORLD CUP FEVER AND FANS EMOTIONAL HEALTH.

Many of us enjoy football (soccer) and anticipate this major event every four years. Most fans await the opportunity to watch their favorite teams and exceptional individual players, including the unexpected performances by teams or players during these events. Most fans support their national teams yet might have alternative options of supporting other teams if theirs is eliminated. Overall, many viewers experience pleasure and proud moments when their team succeeds or plays well.

The recent World Cup was hosted by the 3 nations of North America, United States, Mexico and Canada. Each host country brings their best resources and hopes to obtain positive economic benefits and recognition, knowing that this event is watched by billions of fans worldwide.

My first exposure to this event was during the 1970 World Cup, hosted by Mexico, which featured amazing teams and superstars like Pele. On this occasion, I saw these games through a documentary film in 1972. Despite viewing it in this format as a young adolescent, it fueled my interest in future events. Currently, we can view everything instantly on our smart phones, live TV, and social media which captures many moments which frequently go viral. Artificial Intelligence (AI) currently plays an important part and frequently repeats whatever algorithms it chooses to proliferate.

Artificial intelligence’s (AI) tends to highlight controversial moments, and many times it can appear that the whole world is taking one side or another. This can often incite highly charged emotions in support or against certain players, teams or countries and promote polarization. These videos frequently impact fans and incite enthusiasm, excitement, mass hysteria or rioting.
Some spectators can afford attending these games, most others will participate through public or private “watch parties”. Many bring their children along to partake in these special events.

At times adults get caught up in the excitement of a play, the thrill of winning or the agony of a defeat. Many fans “suffer” through tight matches and might experience hours of tension and stress, exhibiting a whole range of dramatic and explosive emotions or behaviors. At times this intensity of emotions has led some individuals to suffer physical conditions, including cardiovascular events.

During these moments of extreme tension, children may frequently be experiencing their own roller coaster of emotions. They may also try to self-regulate the cascade of feelings. So, it isn’t surprising that they should look around them towards their parents or adults to try and figure out how to express themselves. Of course, children also participate and model the excitement and joy they see in adults when things go their way, and these moments can provide a unique bonding experience with the family and memorable moments.

For many adults, the emotional and cognitive investment placed on their team can have negative repercussions if they are not able to regulate their emotions. Most fans can come to terms with the fact that they enjoyed the game despite winning or losing and these outcomes do not represent who they are as individuals or nations, and do not attribute the result to themselves or identify as winners or losers. Hopefully, adults will transmit to their children that although they hope their team will win, losing can also bring some temporary sadness or disappointment. Adults can also relay to their children that people can experience a whole range of emotions, which can be contained or released in socially appropriate ways.

When the stakes of a game are high and a “wrong” call is made that affects their team, adults might momentarily succumb to an exaggerated or even inappropriate reactions. These situations can provide a teachable moment, if the adult corrects or apologizes for this outburst. More importantly, adults should be aware that children are watching their reactions and will likely model what they see.

In summary, many view football or soccer as a mini representation of life, where there are many opportunities for adults to experience and model how they cope with difficult or challenging situations, including practicing ‘empathetic responses’ towards those that lose. We have seen many examples of empathy from players as they demonstrate their respect and support for those that are experiencing a big loss.

Children and adults can benefit from these cognitive skills. On a wider platform many people from different cultures around the globe will be participating in this event, and it provides us with an opportunity to highlight a friendly competition, “fair play” and denunciation of racism. We hope that teams and organizations like FIFA, will promote these values.