It is claimed that renowned international events like the World Cup and other global sporting occasions are important in enhancing understanding between countries and easing the tension, as well as allowing fans to display their patriotism without incurring any damage. While these events are crucial in easing international tensions by allowing people from different cultures and religions to mingle, I disagree with the notion because these events only serve as a short-term fix as most people are stuck in their ways and continue with their animosity immediately these tournaments are concluded.
First and foremost, events such as the World Cup provide a platform for individuals from different cultural and religious backgrounds to interact. This allows supporters from far flung areas to observe and understand the practices of other faiths and ethnicities, which fosters tolerance; for example, the recent FIFA World Cup held in Qatar meant that the host country had to relax some of its stringent laws, such as dress codes and drinking alcohol, to allow other fanatics to visit their country. Such gestures prove that some regimes are willing to compromise on some things so that they can be allowed to host such monumental events.
Despite the above sentiments, most individuals are stuck in their beliefs and would not be dissuaded from hating on other groups just because a sporting event was held in their country. The government can relax the laws, but that does not mean that its citizens would abide by them. For instance, there were many cases of women being harassed at the recent Qatar World Cup because they were dressed scantily; furthermore, many cases of drunk supporters being imprisoned were reported because such practices are not accepted in the Muslim culture. This shows that these events only provide a temporary band-aid solution to a problem that goes much deeper.
In conclusion, despite the visible advantages of hosting such events to encourage international cohesion from people of different faiths and culture, I disagree with the idea that these events provide any long-term solutions to the problem and reiterate that people’s deep-seated cultural beliefs would always reign supreme.