What a Team!
World Cup 2026
by Claire Law
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To recognise the significance of the FIFA 2026 World Cup and to reflect on the value of teamwork in our own lives.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (What a Team!) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
- Ask the children if they have heard about the World Cup!
Listen to a range of responses. - Point out that it’s likely that most people have heard of the World Cup as we are currently mid-tournament and have been witnessing a record number of teams from across the globe battling it out to be crowned football’s world champions.
- Explain that this year’s World Cup features 48 teams and, for the first time in its history, is being hosted by three nations: Canada, Mexico and the USA.
- England's men's footballers qualified back in October last year, after a 5-0 win against Latvia in the qualifiers. Although it’s been 28 years since Scotland last qualified for the World Cup, they made it through to this World Cup after beating Denmark 4-2 in their qualifying match back in November last year.
- Show Slide 2.
Explain that the modern game of football developed in the 1800s. FIFA was founded soon after to govern international football competitions, ensuring the sport's global growth and uniformity in rules. - Show Slide 3.
This led to the first World Cup, which took place almost 100 years ago, in 1930. In this tournament, the host country, Uruguay (shown here celebrating their win) lifted the trophy after winning 4-2 against Argentina. - Show Slide 4.
It was 60 years ago that England won the FIFA World Cup. Here we see England captain Bobby Moore collecting the World Cup Trophy from Queen Elizabeth II back in 1966.
Time for reflection
Let’s pause for a moment to think about what we can learn from this World Cup.
Explain that for the first time, 3 nations are working together to host the tournament. This is a good example of people working together.
Football is all about teamwork
Show Slide 5
This team-mentality is reflected in the Bible. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read: ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour’.
These words remind us that teamwork can be a powerful force. Being part of a team, part of a community, rather than going it alone helps us to support ourselves and others.
Show Slide 6.
The Bible also uses the analogy of a body, made up of many parts – hands, feet, head and so on, to describe the teamwork of being a church community.
In the book of 1 Corinthians, we read: ‘For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ… there are many parts, yet one body… Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it’. This analogy reminds us that working together as one united body makes more sense than a hand, or a foot going alone. We work better as a team.
Let’s think about teamwork in our own lives.
Ask the following questions and listen to a range of responses:
Can we think of times when we have been part of a team?
What are the things that are special about being in a team?
Are there times when being in a team has been difficult?
Ask the question:
Are there people who help us if we are ever in difficulty?
Explain to the children the people who they might talk to if they ever feel like they have no one to turn to in a difficult situation.
Explain what help is available in school.
Prayer
Dear God,
We pause to thank you for the many nations and people who have been part of the World Cup.
Thank you for the reminder that we are better together.
Thank you for people who help us and care for us.
Please help us to care for one another.
We pray for peace and unity in the world.
Amen
