Watching the World Cup Through the Eyes of Your Child
In this personal essay published on July 18, 2026, The Athletic's Joshua Kloke reflects on experiencing the 2026 World Cup through the eyes of his seven-year-old son, Bastian. While covering Canada's men's national team, Kloke misses watching Germany play live with his son, who is attending his first World Cup game in Toronto with his mother. The author explores how a child's perspective transforms the tournament from a rule-bound sport into a realm of imagination and possibility. He notes that for his son, the World Cup is less about predictable club league outcomes and more about magical moments like Germany's historic 7-1 win over Brazil in 2014. The piece underscores the tournament's capacity to bring joy and heartbreak, and how it can reshape a generation's view of soccer in Canada.
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