For Fox Sports reporter Jenny Taft, seeing incredible moments of faith on the field during the 2026 FIFA World Cup reminded her of God’s unifying power.
“It isn’t new,” Taft told Sports Spectrum. “I’ve seen it at all the World Cups, but for whatever reason, and maybe should we give social media a little love? This can be our one time to say because I, like you, my feed has been all faith-based reels about the team and about just, you know, players together.”
“Just visually thinking about after USA, seeing some of the US players with Belgium, playing with Belgian players. So, there’s that unity of doing it together, which I’ve seen after a win, after a loss. Like the end of the day, nothing’s bigger than God and this prayer together,” she reflected.
Following the USMNT’s loss to Belgium on July 6, the team united in prayer on the pitch.
“So, I think I’ve always seen it, but in a cool way, the way the social media has given it its own avenue to be shown has actually been really positive,” Taft continued. “Look, I love that they’re showing it. They are broadcasting these moments. You know, it’s as simple as like, in a post-game interview after Belgium, I said, ‘I know you guys were together in prayer, but I also know Mauricio addressed the team…and why can’t we talk about faith in our interviews?’
“Like that’s what’s happening, and I’ve had conscious thoughts about that too when it’s a part of the story, it is the story, and there’s no reason not to discuss it,” she emphasized. “And the movement that’s happening is real and only growing.”
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Related: 15 FIFA World Cup Players Vocal About Their Faith in Jesus
Taft is right: the movement of players bringing faith into sports is only growing, and it’s thanks in large part to social media. The World Cup powerfully exemplified the phenomenon.
Led by USMNT defender Mark McKenzie, the United States was one of the first teams to share a moment of prayer on the pitch after their first World Cup win.
The Curaçao national team also let their faith shine as they gathered for a post-match prayer following their loss to Germany early on in the tournament.
The team also shared a moment of worship with Presence Revival “to worship Jesus and give all glory to God before heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the US.”
“Win or lose at the World Cup, they’ve already shown what it looks like to put God first. God is moving powerfully among this team. Several players have come to know Jesus personally in recent years. Others have been walking with Him for longer and are unashamed to share their faith. Their testimonies are impacting lives both on and off the pitch,” the worship band shared in a post on Instagram, which included a video of the Curaçao team worshipping together.
By highlighting these powerful moments on and off the pitch, Taft underscores a growing cultural shift where athletes openly embrace their faith, proving that devotion to God can unite players beyond the game.
Read Next: Curaçao National Team Unites in Worship Before 2026 World Cup
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