For 29 days split between November and December 2022, the world had one thing on its mind: FIFA. In over 90 years of existence, rarely has any FIFA World Cup generated a unified worldwide craze like the tournament in Qatar.
beIN MEDIA GROUP (beIN) recorded well over five billion cumulative views throughout FIFA World Cup 2022. Viacom18, which owns Jio Cinema and channel Sports18, also announced stellar numbers– over 110 million viewers tuned in to watch the spectacle on Viacom18’s digital assets.
Even by football’s lofty fan following, those are unbelievable numbers. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and other football legends have been around for several FIFA World Cups, so why did the tournament in Qatar make history? Maybe because it gave hope!
2022, much like 2020, was mostly a difficult year for humanity. The war in Ukraine divided the world and, directly or indirectly, affected the livelihoods of millions worldwide.
Money and work became hard to come by, with the cost of living rising substantially. Several nations were plunged into recession, going into the most exciting time of the year. Everything looked dull and eerily similar to 2020 until the FIFA World Cup in Qatar gave the world renewed hope.
Through its twists and turns, highs and lows, the tournament reminded everyone of the power of unity, sacrifice, hard work, and love. Nothing seemed impossible at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022; minnows took down giants, equality was reborn, and borders meant nothing anymore. A world full of possibilities, right?
Lessons from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Children, as well as adults, derived value and joy in equal measure from the FIFA World Cup 2022. Here are a few incredible life lessons to remember throughout your time.
There’s no “right” path to your dreams, says FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The Qatar World Cup 2022 proved time and again there’s no such thing as the “right” path to your dreams. Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert is a shining example. At 6 feet 8 inches, Noppert always had the right physical attributes for a goalkeeper. He didn’t lack determination and drive either, but for over a decade, nothing happened.
The Dutchman was only a bit part player, mostly warming the bench wherever he went. He hit rock bottom when FC Dordrecht, a lowly second-tier club in the Netherlands, released him after he turned 25. Most would give up, as having no club at 25 is as bad as it gets for a footballer. However, Noppert’s determination to succeed kept him going and ultimately earned him a place in Louis van Gaal’s Dutch squad for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, starting all five games for the Dutch. Although his team was defeated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Argentina, Noppert realised his dreams and taught it pays to follow your dreams no matter what.
Family Above Everything
Life is about priorities. In a rush to do and achieve everything, it is crucial to remember that nothing matters more than family. Their safety and well-being are far more valuable than medals, glory, and fame.
England winger Raheem Sterling’s actions are a testament to this fact. While away in Qatar, Sterling’s Surrey residence was robbed, leaving his wife and three young children traumatised. The England winger didn’t think twice as he left the English camp and rushed home to protect his loved ones.
England manager Gareth Southgate didn’t stand in his way and provided the perfect explanation for the decision to the media. He stated, “Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing; family should come first.”
Compassion Costs Nothing
Brazil was one of the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. With superstars like Neymar and Vinicius Junior within their ranks, the South American side had more than enough firepower to beat anyone.
However, they suffered a shock exit when Croatia beat them in the quarter-finals. The entire team was reduced to tears, but Neymar was visibly more upset. As the team’s star player, a lot was expected of him.
He couldn’t hold back tears after the game, but what calmed him down was an incredible act of compassion by a young Croatian. Star player Ivan Perisic’s son, Leonardo, ran towards Neymar after the game to console him and offer a sporty handshake.
The Brazilian striker waved away the security who tried to stop Leonardo and embraced the young boy, accepting his beautiful gesture. The moving moment was caught on camera and emerged as one of the best moments of the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Value Those Who Cheer You On
Morocco’s journey of a lifetime at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 proves why you must celebrate those who cheer you on. The African team wasn’t really fancied to emerge through the group stage, let alone become the first Arab and African country to reach a World Cup semi-final.
They achieved the feat through hard work and sacrifice, but owe a lot to their ’12th Man,’ their fans. Singing and dancing throughout their country’s time at the tournament, Morocco’s fans created an energy that kept their players going no matter what.
There were times during the match against Spain and Portugal when the Atlas Lions looked like they were tiring. Morocco fans became the energy their team needed, creating incredible noise and cheering their players for every touch.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s hard to find such passionate cheerleaders who support you throughout. But if you find them, value their support as it is the fuel you’ll need to succeed.
Everyone Has A Bad Day
Cristiano Ronaldo needs no introduction. The Portuguese star is a footballing god, a youth icon, and one of the most respected athletes to walk the planet. The FIFA World Cup 2022 was supposed to be his last dance, the perfect end to an illustrious career. However, things didn’t go according to plan for him or his country.
Morocco knocked Portugal out in the quarter-finals, ending Ronaldo’s dream of lifting the World Cup. The former Real Madrid striker left the field in tears after the match, but that defeat didn’t define him. Anyone can have a bad day. What matters is your reaction to the setback. If history is anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before CR7 is back to his best on the field.
The Most Important Learning of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Talent Isn’t Enough
Talent means nothing if it isn’t followed by hard work. Take Germany and Belgium: both teams were favourites to go deep into the competition, having star players like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Thomas Mueller.
But to everyone’s surprise, they were knocked out pretty early in the competition. The will and desire to fight for every ball were missing in their game, with teams like Morocco and Saudi Arabia showing more hunger.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Takeaways
Everyone, especially children, must learn that there really isn’t a substitute for hard work. Talent opens a few doors, but in the long term, it is hard work that makes the difference.
Smile Foundation believes in a world where children are strong, kind, resilient, and always ready to help others. Catching them young doesn’t only mean transferring the values of us, adults into them; it also means imbibing in them a value system that they can question, analyse, choose and eventually create and practise one of their own.
