The rumbling roar of a crowd. Fans breaking out in song and dance. The breathless hope of seeing your country win it all.

Every four years, the world comes together for the FIFA World Cup, a competition that celebrates the excitement, joy and even heartbreak that soccer can stir up for millions of fans around the globe. As one of the host nations for this year’s competition, we Canadians now get a front-row seat to the passion soccer can ignite.

Far from the spotlight of major competitions, soccer also lives up to its nickname — “The Beautiful Game” — by inspiring perseverance, hope and joy in the lives of children and youth living in poverty. Soccer is providing children with places to belong, youth with exciting callings and communities with safe spaces.

Today, we’re sharing three stories that tell of a sport that is not only a pastime, but also a source of hope.

From dusty fields to professional dreams

Alejandro is holding a soccer ball and a Bible as he sits at a desk inside a center classroom. He looks down at his Bible and turns a page. He is in a pink sports jersey.

“It all began on dusty soccer fields, playing in my community and the [Compassion] centre’s championships,” says 18-year-old Alejandro. “In a few days, I’ll make my first-division debut, leaving the youth leagues behind.”

Growing up in a gang-affected neighbourhood in Honduras meant that the future often felt narrow for Alejandro and his friends. With distractions on every corner and a lack of resources, hope often felt distant.

But for Alejandro, soccer opened a world of possibility. Alejandro had so much passion for the game that he would walk miles just to play his heart out on dusty fields. After playing, he’d make the long trek back in worn-out shoes, but it never dampened his enthusiasm for the sport.

Alejandro stands in a group with the center’s younger participants during training at a local soccer field. They all point up and look to the sky as a soccer ball flies above them. Most of them are wearing matching pink soccer jerseys and pink shorts.

“At 18, [Alejandro is] already coaching younger participants at the centre, the same place that helped shape him. On similar dusty fields, Alejandro now leads drills. He corrects their movements, encourages their efforts. The kids call him ‘coach’, watching him the way he once watched others,” says Claudia, the local Compassion centre director.

Eventually, his perseverance caught the attention of a local soccer academy. Though his family could not afford the tuition, Alejandro’s hard work earned him a full scholarship. Today, he’s stepped into the world of professional soccer with his local first-division club, all while coaching and mentoring the next generation at the Compassion centre he used to attend.

Learning through a whistle

Raoul, a talented district referee, is standing at a soccer field in his community. He has his hands tucked behind him as he smiles at the camera. He is wearing a blue polo shirt with a whistle around his neck. Behind him is a soccer team huddled together.

Raoul’s love for soccer drew him towards refereeing matches from a young age. Today, he’s on his way to becoming one of the best referees in Burkina Faso.

At 21, Raoul is balancing two demanding callings: studying psychology and training as a soccer referee. In the classroom, he is a student preparing for the future. On the pitch, he is an authority, trusted to uphold fairness, order and integrity in a game where emotions often run high.

Raoul’s upbringing in an extremely impoverished community in northern Burkina Faso made both these callings seem out of reach. But through the support of his Compassion centre, Raoul persevered — and found the game of soccer along the way. He began refereeing games in his village, and through more perseverance and training, Raoul earned his accreditation as a national referee.

Raoul and his three referee assistants are joyfully debriefing a soccer game recorded on a phone. They sit on a row of tires next to a soccer field as they smile and Raoul is between them holding the phone in view. He is in a blue polo shirt with black shorts and the referee next to him is in the same.

Raoul and his assistant referees have learned the importance of fairness through officiating soccer matches. “In decision-making, I must not give special treatment to any team or player. Impartiality is key to good match management,” says Raoul.

Every game is a lesson for Raoul, and through officiating the sport Raoul has learned how to reflect God’s justice, whistling and directing games with honesty, impartiality and self-control. As he continues to develop his talents, Raoul has dreams of officiating matches in the World Cup one day, all while using his callings to honour God.

Making disciples on the field

David, one of the boys at the soccer academy, smiles and poses for a photo in the soccer field. His left foot is holding the soccer ball in place. He is wearing a light blue top.

David, one of the boys at the soccer academy, was ecstatic when he found out the academy was opening. “I’m improving the quality of my game, and I enjoy coming here. I’m learning about respect and discipline,” he says.

For a group of excitable boys and teens in a rural Peruvian community, soccer practices at a local soccer academy on Monday, Wednesday and Friday are the highlight of the week. But before every practice, Coach Jose gathers them for a devotional from the Bible, reminding them that what happens on the field is more than just a game.

Coach Jose’s soccer academy was born from a desire that Compassion centre staff had to see young boys in their community find safe spaces that would provide them with structure and something to look forward to. Beyond the teamwork and discipline soccer teaches, Coach Jose has also been able to share his passion for Jesus and disciple the kids in their faith.

Portrait of Jose, soccer coach and centre staff, standing in the soccer field. He is wearing a blue, yellow and white top. His arms are crossed at his chest. He is smiling.

“I teach [the kids] that our talents come from God, but what we want most is for them to carry the gospel message and be true followers of Christ,” says Jose.

“This is more than an academy. It’s a school of discipleship,” says Coach Jose. “God has brought soccer back into my life — and I have a group of kids I have grown to love and now mentor.”

This World Cup, you’re invited to cheer for more than your country — cheer for the future of children and youth stepping out of poverty.

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John Ayena

John Ayena

John is a Senior Content Specialist at Compassion Canada, where he brings stories of God's love to life with truth and clarity. When he isn't writing, you'll find him out on a run, strumming a guitar or deep into a book with a cup of (decaf) coffee in hand.