The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been the biggest in history, and it is giving us something rare: unity and hope.

For the first time in what feels like forever, an event has allowed us to open our phones to good news. For a few weeks, political riffraff, fearmongering and hate have been overshadowed by something positive. Now, our feeds are filled with strangers laughing, crying and celebrating together.

Controversy often gets clicks, and in this digital age it’s easy to feel divided with bad news bombarding your feed. It’s been extremely refreshing to see something so positive that so many people can enjoy together.

With 48 teams instead of 32, 104 matches instead of 64 and three host nations, the tournament has opened its doors to an overflow of countries and cultures. More nations have had the opportunity to participate than ever before, meaning more people are seeing themselves represented on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

What’s been happening off the field has been just as inspiring. Throughout this process, people seem to have gained a deeper appreciation for one another. Mindless labels that seem to dominate and divide our society have been forgotten for the love of the game.

They don’t seem to matter quite as much — and they shouldn’t. We’ve found ourselves celebrating incredible moments with complete strangers. Personally, that’s something I don’t experience very often anymore.

Within the game, there’s healthy rivalry and genuine care for each other, something lacking in the human experience right now.

People who cannot speak the same languages are communicating through the universal language of sport, and it’s proving that love really does transcend all boundaries. It’s widespread, and it all comes down to who you’re cheering for — nothing else. There is no language barrier when cheers and excitement erupt from thousands of people in the stands.

I, for one, am so happy to be seeing healthy rivalry instead of hostility, on and off the field.

It seems that in Texas, everything really is bigger, including Japan’s newfound love affair with cowboy culture. Japanese fans have gone viral for embracing their host state with oversized cowboy hats, Western boots and country-themed outfits.

Ranch dressing has become an unexpected World Cup celebrity, with visitors posting videos of themselves lathering this very American condiment on burgers, pizza, wings and just about everything else they can get their hands on. The world has been unified through an internet-wide joke.

These moments might seem trivial, but they’re exactly what we need and what makes the World Cup so special. All we needed was a little joy and for things to not be so serious.

Fans have been filmed trading jerseys and coining new chants. They’re teaching each other dances, trying cultural foods and discovering a taste for the beloved hot dog. It doesn’t get more American than that.

There’s been hope for the underdogs, too. Paraguay has defeated Germany. Morocco has eliminated the Netherlands. Egypt defeated Australia in a penalty shootout. Cape Verde made history simply by reaching the tournament.

Moments like these remind us why people fall in love with sports in the first place. They’re unpredictable, emotional and often lead to joy and memories bigger than the game itself. Sometimes, all it takes is one incredible performance to inspire an entire nation.

The world hasn’t suddenly become perfect because of a soccer tournament. The problems will still be waiting after the final whistle blows.

However, for a few weeks, billions of people have found something to feel connected by and smile about. It might be enough to bring us all a little closer. The World Cup has loudly reminded us of everything we still have in common: love.

For one month, the only side that matters is who you’re cheering for. It’s not about the color of your skin, it’s about the color stitched across your jersey. It’s not about who you love, it’s about what team you love. The World Cup has shown that differences shouldn’t divide us; they should strengthen us.

Jeanne Warren is a 20-year-old mass communications major from Baton Rouge, La.