The Beautiful Game and the Battle for Democracy: Lessons from “How Soccer Explains Globalization” for 2026

Today, as the US, Canada, and Mexico host the 2026 World Cup, I am reminded of 2004, before I dropped out of college, when I worked weekend nights at an old-school Italian restaurant called Cesar’s on Powell Street. Cesar’s, which opened in the 1950s, was a San Francisco institution that sadly closed its doors in 2012 after 56 years. My Italian friend Andrea Naletto and I worked many shifts together there, forging a friendship over countless busy nights. It was Andrea who introduced me to Franklin Foer’s book, How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization. Foer uses the world’s most popular sport as a lens to understand how cultures collide, identities are negotiated, and power flows across borders. In 2026, Foer’s insights are more relevant than ever—especially as we grapple with the rise of authoritarianism in the United States, epitomized by the second Trump administration, and search for ways to reclaim democracy through universal, inclusive policies.

Soccer as a Mirror of Globalization

Foer’s book argued that soccer—simple, universal, yet deeply local—reveals the paradoxes and promises of globalization. Stadiums in Barcelona, Lagos, or Buenos Aires are microcosms of their societies: sites of solidarity and tribalism, cosmopolitanism and nationalism, hope and exclusion. The spread of soccer’s culture, business, and celebrity across continents parallels the global flows of capital, ideas, and people.

Yet, as Foer noted, globalization is not a one-way street toward unity and harmony. It can trigger backlash—stoking xenophobia, fueling local resentments, and encouraging demagogues. In today’s world, this tension is playing out not just on the pitch, but in our politics.

The Second Trump Administration: American Fascism in the Age of Globalization

In 2026, the return of Donald Trump to the presidency has accelerated a brand of American authoritarianism many now call “soft fascism”: a blend of populist rhetoric, institutional erosion, and the scapegoating of minorities and dissenters. The administration’s policies—targeting immigrants, undermining the press, restricting voting rights, and centralizing power—draw from a playbook seen globally: leaders exploiting economic anxiety and cultural fears in an age of rapid change.

Foer’s analysis of soccer ultras, hooliganism, and the manipulation of fan passions echoes in the way contemporary movements harness identity politics and nationalist fervor. Just as soccer clubs became symbols for excluded communities or vehicles for demagogic leaders, today’s political movements channel legitimate grievances into dangerous forms of exclusion and violence.

But Foer also showed how soccer, when organized around universal values—fair play, inclusion, merit—can break down barriers. The global game’s capacity to unite diverse players and fans offers a hopeful lesson for our politics.

Overcoming Authoritarianism: Universal Political and Economic Policies

If the roots of modern fascism grow in the cracks of inequality, insecurity, and failed representation, the antidote must be a renewed commitment to universalism—policies that transcend identity and location, offering dignity and opportunity to all.

Here are three core strategies, inspired by the lessons of soccer and globalization:

1.Universal Basic Rights and Protections

Just as FIFA’s rules apply to every player, regardless of nationality, our societies must guarantee basic rights—freedom of speech, fair elections, equal justice—for everyone. This means resisting efforts to erode voting access, criminalize protest, or demonize minorities. It also means investing in the institutions—independent courts, free media, civic education—that make democracy real.

2. Global Solidarity, Local Empowerment

Soccer’s most successful teams blend local identity with global talent. Likewise, policies should combine international cooperation (on climate, health, migration) with investments in local communities. This could mean rejoining global agreements, expanding worker protections across borders, and ensuring fair taxation of multinational companies. At the same time, communities should have more say over schools, policing, and development—countering the sense of alienation that fuels extremism.

3. Economic Security for All

The inequality exposed by globalization is fertile ground for demagogues. In 2026, I was the only candidate to run for Congress in Nevada’s 2nd District on a platform of universal economic policies from cradle to grave, including a Universal Basic Income funded by a Nevada Permanent Fund, itself supported through a Green Marshall Plan. These kinds of bold, inclusive programs—universal healthcare, a living minimum wage, robust social safety nets, and investments in education and green infrastructure—can rebuild trust and solidarity, making it harder for authoritarians to divide us.

The Role of Civil Society and Culture

Finally, as Foer emphasized, change is not just about policy, but also culture. Soccer’s power to bridge divides comes from the countless grassroots clubs, fan organizations, and informal networks that foster community and dialogue. Civil society—unions, churches, arts groups, neighborhood associations—must play a leading role in defending democracy and building inclusive identities.

In 2026, technology gives us tools to connect across borders, but also to spread disinformation and hate. We must use these platforms to tell a different story: one of shared struggle and collective possibility.

Conclusion: Playing for the Future

Soccer teaches us that the world is both bigger and smaller than we imagine. Globalization is unstoppable, but its direction is up to us. The rise of American fascism is a warning—but not a prophecy. If we learn from the beautiful game, embracing universalism and solidarity, we can defend democracy and build a future where every person, regardless of passport or background, has the chance to play.

As the world tunes in for the 2026 World Cup—held in North America, a region wrestling with its own contradictions—we are reminded that the struggle for democracy is never over. On the field and in our societies, the rules matter; fair play matters; and the game is only beautiful when it is open to all.

Gamy Enriquez, MPA