World Cup 2026: Same but different – the beauty of the first World Cup with your child

Four years ago, any attempt to watch a game together was met with the kind of stubborn childish resistance that suggested a midday nap. Suddenly, here we are, knee-deep in Panini Swapsies, rolling out the Star-Spangled Banner of France, brandishing the flags and badges of all 48 countries. Brilliant Brazil!

Of course, the media that is participating in this World Cup is different from our childhood experience, which is different from our parents. “Did you see Grandpa Pele at Goodison Park?” It’s sad because Grandad is Evertonian, and it’s also a little bit amazing because his favorite YouTuber – Chuffsters – has drawn a 99-ranked Pele icon card.

This isn’t a bedtime World Cup for the folks in the pond class – it’s not even dawn yet and we don’t have to go to school early, the class teacher is pulling out a rolling TV to catch up. Senegal shock France.

Instead, this World Cup is about climbing into bed with his little brother at first light, recapting yesterday’s games and predicting which star player will score – thirsty. It highlights packages. Good goals before breakfast.

Waking up last Wednesday was like Christmas morning. Each clip unlocks the gift of another amazing display. Kylian Mbappe, Erling Holland, Lionel Messi gets a hat-trick! Because, despite being the same age as most of their parents, it’s Messi who resonates with today’s kids – the shirt spotted on the pitches on Sunday mornings.

But for anything, the basics remain the same.

Filling in sticky books and writing on wall charts, taking down football pictures – we have two Bradley Barcolas, if anyone wants one? He spent hours pretending to be Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham in the garden trying to create the biggest goals of the tournament. We will be buying a new fence this summer.

It’s about seeing your heroes come alive on screen and meet unexpected new ones. Where can you find a Voice a shirt?

It’s about seeing the game in a different light to enjoy it through your children’s eyes. One wonder and a million questions, which you have not thought about for decades. An experience that does not know the ills, politics, ticket prices or negligence of modern football Moisture breaks. Just the pure magic of the game, the curiosity to know more about it, the uncontrollable desire to say ‘Siuuuu!’ Supermarket shopping aisles.

Soccer may be ethnic and divisive but it is a sport at heart, whether it’s fans from around the world huddling in a fan park in Mexico City or a father and his youngsters huddled around a book in Manchester.

Because the World Cup is a cross-generational event. My grandfather died early in the tournament – his last contact with the boys was to put up some English stickers with his weekly shop. Grief at their loss was filled with a small, thoughtful gesture – they would remember that.

Who knows if our young football anorak will remember the competition, and that’s okay. Such is the glorious childhood gift of living in the moment, maybe next week it’ll move on to something else, maybe we’ll be chasing Pokemon again. And we have fun together.

But now, what a beautiful satisfaction it is to experience this World Cup, cherishing this love we share.

So, it’s summer here. For me, this is what will last forever.