It’s that time again.

The World Cup final is here.

I used to vow to watch all the matches, and I’d even have two screens for the last round of the group stages before I started missing games during the knockout stages. Not that it mattered. I love the first round of games the most, especially seeing fans from different nations enjoying themselves. Everyone is hopeful because they technically all have an equal chance of winning the cup.

And then there is the football.

After one too many anxious moments while watching penalties, I began to wonder if the World Cup is good or bad for health. In this post, I discuss the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the tournament.

In the clip above, heart rate and blood pressure increase whenever a goal is scored. Essentially, the journalist being tested was hyperventilating, causing reduced blood flow to their brain. This probably won’t impact someone in good physical condition, but if someone with poor health is watching, this could be a problem.

The good side of the World Cup

According to this article in Science Alert, watching the World Cup can have some benefits. The most important benefit is social. Watching football (or soccer) together with friends, family and other fans can create a sense of community, making people feel less isolated. Have you ever wondered why people seem to lose their minds when their team scores? That’s the dopamine hit. Watching your team win boosts mood and emotional wellbeing, leaving you feeling happy. The World Cup also brings a sense of distraction, a way to focus on something fun for a few hours.

I’ve been a football fan since I was a child, and even though I don’t watch matches frequently, I like how it’s a world of its own. There’s excitement. There’s drama, money, and scandal. There’s always something to keep people’s interest. As a Manchester United fan, this is what’s been keeping me afloat since we last won the Premier League.

Other positive benefits include:

• Learning about different cultures
• Increased social activity
• Opportunities within communities, e.g., hosting fan viewings, more footfall for businesses

Downsides of the World Cup

Of course, there can be some downsides to watching the World Cup (or any sport). In some countries, domestic violence rises when football is being played. A study from Lancaster University found that when England lost a game, cases of domestic violence went up by 38%. Even when the team won, cases rose by 26%. And this only gets worse with each new tournament. In these cases, a tournament like the World Cup can be very distressing, especially due to the month-long time frame.

If you or anyone you know needs help with domestic violence in the UK, click here. For help elsewhere, check here.

Gambling is another problem. Nationwide found that 83% of 18-24-year-olds will gamble more during major sporting events like the World Cup. This is not a good sign because almost 20% of this group consider themselves to be addicted to gambling. With so many games played in a short amount of time, the World Cup can be damaging to people with limited funds who tend to bet on sports.

Alleviating these issues is not simple, but more can be done. More resources should be made available during games for those suffering from domestic violence, including safe spaces for victims to stay in, increased access to helplines and frontline support. In terms of gambling, advertisements for sports betting should be regulated with the risks made clear.

What does the research say?

For the most part, the World Cup is a positive experience. Research on 1,200 adults in Hong Kong during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar found that it had a positive effect on mental health. Watching and talking about the World Cup led to higher levels of activity and success. Even knowing about the teams playing or the rules gave people watching a sense of achievement. They found that taking part in World Cup-related activities was almost as good as viewers actually doing physical activity.

Based on the evidence, watching the World Cup is mostly good for us. Viewing games with friends and family and attending fan events are effective ways to boost mental wellbeing and give us a strong sense of community.

What do you think? Do you enjoy the World Cup? Let me know below!

Further reading/references

• Article on World Cup and Media Impact
• World Cup Gambling Warning: 1 in 4 Young Brits Gamble to Pay Bills
• Stop It Coming Home Campaign
• Watching the World Cup: Benefits
• PMC Article on World Cup Gambling
• YouTube Video on World Cup Effects
• No More Directory
• Domestic Violence UK – A comprehensive resource for individuals facing domestic violence, offering support, advice, and legal information.