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Why soccer fandom in Latin America feels almost sacred
Fans across Latin America turn club loyalty into repeated rituals that anthropologists say create community, identity and comfort, especially during hard times.
- Devotion to soccer across Latin America spills into everyday life, inspiring rituals and beliefs as millions prepare for the 2026 World Cup, mirroring Santiago García's faith in his club.
- Argentine anthropologist Eloísa Martín noted that the sense of togetherness, or 'communitas,' is only possible when people gather, as soccer deeply moves fans by creating belonging, identity, and hope.
- On Sundays, Hermosilla performs a ritual asking for Beneath Arellano's blessing before matches, financing trips with his family by selling accessories to fans since his early days selling photocopies.
- Living nearly 100 kilometers from Rio, Adilvania Santos attends every game dressed in Fluminense colors; the 27-year-old said the club helped her through a difficult time.
- In Argentina, home to Lionel Messi, fans view icons like Diego Maradona as family members, turning to Diego for help with a reverence that mirrors religious devotion.
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As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, millions of fans in Latin America reaffirm a passion that transcends sports and, for many, takes on almost religious dimensions.
Associated Press News+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Why soccer fandom in Latin America feels almost sacred
Soccer devotion in Latin America extends far beyond the stadium. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, fans across the region describe rituals, beliefs and emotional bonds tied to their teams that resemble forms of collective devotion.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left7Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 31%
15%
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