When England beat Mexico in a dramatic 3-2 win to make their way through to the quarter finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defender Marc Guehi dropped to his knees and pointed to the skies in prayer and praise. It’s just one of many moments where Jesus has been glorified during the competition. Here’s our guide to the best stories you won’t want to miss
From players giving glory to Jesus and teams praying in triumph and defeat, to stories of hotel Bible studies, this World Cup has been chock full of spiritual moments - and we’re not even at the quarter final stages yet!
Here’s a few of our favourite stories so far:
1. Crycensio Summerville prays after scoring his first World Cup goal for the Netherlands
The West Ham winger made a sensational World Cup debut, scoring the Netherlands’ second goal in a 2-2 Group F draw with Japan on 14 June. Summerville curled a perfect left-foot shot into the far corner at Dallas Stadium in Texas before dropping to his knees and pointing to the sky.
2. South Africa respond to defeat with prayer
How a team responds to both victory and loss says a lot. Following a torrid 2-0 defeat to Mexico on the opening day of the 2026 World Cup, Bafana Bafana made time to gather together in prayer during a training session.
3. Germany and Curaçao pray together after eight-goal thriller
Following Germany’s 7–1 victory against Curaçao in their opening game on 14 June, German and Curaçao players came together in a circle of prayer on the pitch. When asked about the viral post-match moment, German midfielder Felix Nmecha explained: “During the game we are opponents, but after the game, we are all Christians. We are all brothers.”
4. Ecuador give glory to God on the pitch…
A week later, following their 2-1 defeat against Ecuador, German and Ecuadorian players joined together in prayer. As the final whistle blew, Moises Caicedo, who also plays for Chelsea, dropped to his knees in prayer. The whole team then knelt in a moment of thanksgiving before the celebrations, and were later joined by Christian players from the team they had just beaten. Just beautiful.
5. …and study His word when they’re off it
Social media videos have also been circulating of the Ecuadorian team’s regular hotel room Bible studies during the World Cup tournament. So wholesome it hurts.
6. Curaçao worship before travelling to the World Cup
Before they had even stepped foot inside a stadium, the smallest nation at this year’s World Cup were all over Instagram, praising God in worship.
7. Sweden’s Anthony Elanga reveals Bible habit
The Newcastle striker has revealed that he has his (somewhat hefty!) Bible with him at the World Cup as part of his preparation and daily routine. Reading scripture helps keep sport in perspective, he says: “The Bible gives me patience. It helps me if I’m not playing. Whether I get to play or not doesn’t really matter. Both on and off the pitch it gives me security and peace.”
8. Semanyo points to Christ’s return
In January, a video of then-Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo being baptised went viral. Then, shortly before his move to Manchester City, the player was seen praying with his pastor before a match against Arsenal. In a social media video, the forward said that representing Ghana was a huge honour, but “representing God is everything”, before reminding listeners that “He’s going to be returning soon.”
9. USA prays
Displays of faith have been so prevalent within the USMNT that The Guardian dedicated a whole article to exploring the extraordinary contrast between the lack of public displays of faith at previous World Cups and this men’s team, who can’t seem to stop sharing about God. Beyond the ever-present faith of “Captain America” Christian Pulisic, there’s this: defender Mark MacKenzie leading the team in a prayer of thanks after they progressed into the last 16.
And in case you think it’s all about the victory, the team also prayed together after their exit from the tournament, following a 4-1 defeat against Belgium on 7 July
10. Guehi glorifies God
Following a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico that saw England progress to the quarter finals, defender Marc Guehi dropped to his knees in prayer amid jubilant celebrations at the Azteca. The Manchester City defender, whose father is a pastor, is joined in the England camp by Arsenal ‘Bible Brothers’ Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka, among others.
On Instagram, Guehi shared a picture of him praying, with the caption “HAND OF GOD!!!”, in a nod to Maradona’s infamous 1986 handball at the Azteca, which knocked England out of that tournament.
11. DR Congo pray after going out
After their 2-1 defeat against England on 1 July, DR Congo players knelt and prayed before exiting the pitch.
And if you needed any more encouragement, here’s some of their fans worshipping during the same game.
12. Doku praises God for son’s birth
Belgium and Manchester City footballer Jeremy Doku has said welcoming his son into the world with wife Shireen is “one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me”. On social media, the winger shared the Bible verse, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17), after the arrival of baby boy Praise. Doku made it clear that family came before football, missing Belgium’s 0-0 World Cup draw with Iran to be present for the birth in the UK.
13. Messi makes history - and gives the credit to God
Twenty years after scoring his first World Cup goal, Lionel Messi made history with a hattrick during Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria on 17 June. The 38-year-old’s treble made him the joint highest scorer in World Cup history. Speaking to DSPORTS Argentina after the match, he said: “I can’t ask for anything more than everything I’ve already received. As I’ve said many times, God has truly spoiled me.
14. Panama prays for goalie
After conceding a goal deep into extra time, Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera looked devastated to see his team exit the World Cup in a 1-0 defeat against Ghana. But immediately after the match, his team gathered round to lay hands on the keeper and pray for him
@ballersingod Despite suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Ghana in the 90th minute, Panama's players still came together in prayer after the final whistle. 🇵🇦🙏 Results may change, but God remains the same. Win or lose, football is temporary, but their faith in Jesus is eternal. Moments like these remind us that true victory isn't always found on the scoreboard, but in giving God the glory in every circumstance. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) Respect to Panama for showing that faith doesn't disappear when disappointment comes. ❤️✝️⚽ Comment AMEN if you love to see it. 🙏 #BallersinGod
♬ son original - 🎧JΞTM🎶 - z7skino
15. Ghana goalkeeper leads
And at the other end of the field, a jubilant Ghana were led in thanksgiving by their goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare
With weeks still to go, it seems that we’ve seen more mentions of God at this year’s World Cup than ever before, a phenomenon that has been echoed here in the Premier League this season as well. May the willingness of some of sport’s biggest stars to pay tribute to their Lord and Saviour inspire us all to be more bold in our faith.
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