Several football matches during the World Cup 2026 have provided fans with a rollercoaster of emotions. The tournament is characterised by suspense, surprise, and shock, as well as overt favouritism displayed on the pitch.
I will not discuss branded teams, soaring player salaries, Botoxed athletes, footballers’ ego, or refereeing tendencies.
The topic focuses on the emotional fever generated by the World Cup. This encompasses both intense psychological and physiological reactions. Fans, whether die-hard or not, experience extreme mood swings, adrenaline rushes, and a profound sense of shared identity.
The World Cup provides a unique emotional outlet where displays of passion, tears, or hugs with strangers are socially acceptable. It creates a global community that unites diverse populations in a shared experience, momentarily dissolving feelings of isolation and enhancing life satisfaction when your team wins.
It is a pity we don’t see the same emotional enthusiasm towards the victims of genocide, war, and famine.
Scholarly articles on the psychology of watching football indicate that this experience triggers a mix of psychological, neurochemical, and physical responses. Spectators often oscillate between strong feelings of joy, excitement, frustration and sadness.
According to studies, watching a favourite team score or win triggers a surge of dopamine, leading to feel-good sensations. The experience of watching matches activates a ‘fight or flight’ response, resulting in real-world spikes in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones during high-stakes moments. Studies indicate that the pulse can reach up to 150 beats per minute.
Uncertain moments, such as penalty shootouts, VAR reviews, shots hitting the post, or last-minute goals, trigger the brain to release adrenaline and cortisol. The VAR effect creates a frustrating non-reward loop. This happens when the thrill of scoring a goal is abruptly halted by a review, causing the human brain to feel anxiety rather than joy in that moment.
When an opposing team scores, it can cause disappointment. The human brain doesn’t cope well with information that contradicts its preconceived beliefs, which can contribute to feelings of anger and confusion, potentially posing health risks.
The science of heartbreak suggests that fans develop a parasocial relationship, a one-sided emotional bond, with their national squad. A win is processed as a personal triumph, but an elimination triggers devastating emotional and cognitive distress. This excitement can significantly heighten physical health risks.
I am not a die-hard fan, but I do get really anxious about games, especially when Brazil plays in the World Cup. But I tell myself, “No heart attack, not now, not yet, not here”. The registration of my testament with local institutions is waiting for agencies to show good-faith, competence and professionalism. So, not dying (yet) because of missed penalties or the team losing the game. However, it would be beneficial to have my will officiated while I am still alive.
Football itself is not the problem. Rather, the body’s reaction to intense emotions is! The World Cup has an unparalleled ability to transcend boundaries and cultures. The shared communal experience of supporting a team unites us in ways that few other modern institutions can. Fans from various backgrounds wear the same colours and sing the same songs, instilling a strong sense of belonging and community.
This industry is a massive cultural and economic magnet that draws attention, investment, and infrastructure from diverse sectors worldwide.
Because of the World Cup's quadrennial format, fans dedicate four years of hope, expectation, and patriotism to a single event. The tournament is not merely a sporting event; it is an exercise in collective psychology and shared human rituals. It taps into tribal demands for belonging, identity, and emotional connection.
The greatest challenge of the World Cup is having mental strength. The pressure is immense. May the best team win through skill, effort and integrity.
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