THE FIFA World Cup, which is due to begin on Thursday, has the potential to draw communities together in surprising ways, the Archbishop of York has written.

In The Yorkshire Post on Wednesday, Archbishop Cottrell said of the tournament, taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, that “many people’s attention will naturally turn to the drama on the pitch — the last-minute goals, the tactical midfield battles, and the emergence of new heroes.”

He continued: “Yet beyond the spectacle, there is something deeper at work — something that stretches far beyond stadiums and television screens. At its very best, the World Cup draws communities together in ways that can be surprising. . .

“It reminds us that, despite our differences, we can still come together. People who might never otherwise meet find common ground. A goal celebrated in Buenos Aires or Cape Town can spark the same elation in Leeds or Sheffield. We sing together, we embrace the stranger next to us when a goal is scored. It is as if football speaks a universal language.”

Archbishop Cottrell also drew attention to the increasing “willingness of some players to speak openly about their faith”.

As players prepare for the start of the World Cup, many of their social-media pages carry Bible verses and messages of thanks to God.

The Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku, who is playing for Belgium, this week posted Proverbs 21.31 (“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord”) and wrote: “Ready for the big stage. Ready for the challenge. Glory to Jesus always.” He was also photographed in training and wearing a wristband, produced by the group Ballers in God, that said “I Belong to Jesus”.

World VisionLara, a Brazilian girl who, with support from World Vision, plays football

Noni Madueke, an Arsenal player, wrote on social media after his surprise selection for the England squad: “God, thank you for allowing me to fulfil the dreams you put in my heart. You’ve walked with me the whole way and I know you’ll continue to do so. I serve a God that opens door for his children. I’m nothing without you, please continue to have your hand over my life.” Mr Madueke is a member of Arsenal’s “Bible brothers”, who meet regularly to pray at the club’s training ground.

Players and coaches from the Dutch Caribbean island Curaçao, the smallest ever nation to qualify for the World Cup, gathered to pray and sing songs of praise last week before heading to the United States.

TryPraying, a Christian organisation based in Edinburgh, is seeking to capitalise on footballers’ professions of faith to reach fans with the gospel.

It has booked “four humorous and fast-moving ads”, made by the Christian charity SaltSellers UK, on Heart Radio and TalkSport ot reach “combined weekly audiences of 3.83 million”. These “promote a special edition booklet containing personal faith stories from top international footballers”.

The Christian charity World Vision is drawing attention to how football brings hope and joy to children in countries that have qualified for the World Cup and that are affected by conflict and climate change.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has qualified for the first time since 1974, the charity runs a Child Friendly Space, where children play football. The DRC has been riven with conflict in recent years. Rwandan-backed M23 rebels invaded the city of Goma last year (News, 30 January), and the country is in an Ebola-virus emergency (News, 5 June)

Ruphin, a child who plays in the Child Friendly Space, said that playing football had helped him to “forget all the stress I used to carry” after his family were displaced by conflict.

“Playing football with other children helps me feel much better and gives me a sense of belonging,” he said. “This Child Friendly Space has supported us in many ways, especially through football activities. It has helped us learn how to interact positively with others and become active members of our community. Thanks to this space, I am not only learning new skills, but I am also discovering my potential and building confidence in my future.”

In Brazil, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, World Vision is helping girls to overcome barriers to playing football.

Lara, who had been told repeatedly, “Girls can’t play football,” is determined to play at the highest level, like the women she sees on television.

“Girls face sexual violence, child marriage, kidnappings, forced labour, gender inequality, and a lack of meaningful education opportunities and agency over their own lives,” the charity said.

“At times, the task at hand can feel like an impossible opponent, but be encouraged: we’ve been on the field a long time, and we won’t be leaving until we win the ultimate World Cup — where every girl has the right to build the future she deserves.”