The fact that liberal-democratic countries such as Switzerland and Germany react so strongly to expressions of faith shows just how far secularisation has progressed. That is why I urge Ruben Vargas, Felix Nmecha and others to continue leavening the dough with a faith lived out genuinely.

Football became so deeply rooted in British working-class communities because there were chapels, Sunday schools, parish rooms and young men looking for somewhere to belong, long before there were professional clubs, stadiums and television contracts.

“Welcoming my son into the world is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me”, underlined the football star playing for Belgium, quoting James 1:17 on social media: "Every good and perfect gift is from above”.

“We all believe that Jesus is glorified through the game, that is why we prayed”, said Christian German midfielder, Felix Nmecha, who scored the first goal.

The smallest country in the World Cup's history finished its preparation by singing The goodness of God and hearing the conversion story of Kenji Gorré, one of its international players.

Never forget that God created happiness and He wants us to live with a joy inside that no one can take from us.

Write down all the things that God has given you, and  the people who have done things for you in the last few years, and thank Him for them.

In the Qatar World Cup, he became France's best scorer of all time. “I pray on the pitch before every game and after every goal as well”.

A vice president of the European Parliament detained in Belgium for belonging to “criminal organisation”. Qatar allegedly bribed her and others to gain influence.

In the western world, especially Europe, such professions of faith by players from all continents challenge lingering views of Christianity as a waning white man’s faith condemned to the margins of history. 

In Qatar, the two stars of the Dutch football team lead a Bible study for their teammates. Depay explains his celebrations after scoring: “I live my life in Jesus’ word”.

“It’s really important to have the presence of God in me all the time”. In his first football World Cup, the 21-year-old player has already scored 3 goals.

Not everyone is able to worship with the same freedom in the country hosting the 2022 football World Cup. Open Doors UK and Ireland asked believers in Doha.

The FIFA World Cup has turned critical eyes to the small Persian Gulf country. Three people on the ground analyse the freedom of Christians.

Ecuadorian midfielder Carlos Gruezo shared on Instagram a video showing several members of the national team praying in a hotel room ahead of the match.

The organisation asks authorities “to allow any religious organization to operate peacefully, free from monitoring and interference”.

As everything gets ready for the largest football event, Christians pray to see a change in the absolutist emirate.

We forget that life quickly passes by and we will leave everything we have attained here.

There are people who believe that they can do without God in their lives. Others say that God only speaks through them.

Let us not forget that the Human Rights that are at stake were born in the fertile soil of Christianity.

Only our personal relationship with God is worth anything.

The only way to have a complete life in every sense of the word is to be anchored in God.

There is nothing worse in approaching God than to go in a proud way.

If we turn back, we will never be anything, neither will we help others, much less serve God.

God teaches us a spiritual law in the Bible that is always fulfilled: what we sow, is what we are going to reap.