After this World Cup, here’s what I feel: a kind of messy hope
In this Guardian opinion piece, columnist Jonathan Liew reflects on the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, arguing that the tournament revealed the fragility of national identity rather than reinforcing nationalism. He notes that fans from around the world, including Kazakhs cheering for Uzbekistan and Bangladeshis passionately supporting Argentina, adopted temporary allegiances based on personal preference rather than nationality. Liew points to ticket sales data showing most final attendees were Americans, and highlights how celebrities like Mike Tyson and Trevor Noah wore opposing team shirts. He argues that national identity has become a disposable consumer brand, citing examples of far-right nationalists rejecting their own diverse national teams and leftwing fans in Latin America avoiding team shirts co-opted by right-wing populists. The piece concludes that the World Cup, once a bastion of nationalism, now demonstrates the increasing haziness and disposability of nationhood in a globalized world.
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