Current Issue
Vol. 31 No. 339 (2026)
I Love my Flag
The phenomenon of soccer transcends mere sporting competition to become one of the most complex sociocultural mirrors of the contemporary era. The 2026 FIFA World Cup -an unprecedented event due to its geopolitical scale and shared infrastructure- brought national symbolism back to the forefront of media debate. It became evident that there is a recurring historical tension on the border between collective identity and chauvinism. Within the framework of a megaproject like the World Cup, the flag acted as a powerful catalyst for social cohesion, belonging, and community memory. However, when passion shifts from a sense of pride to a tool for exclusionary self-affirmation, the nationalism expressed in the sporting arena risks mutating into intolerance and xenophobia.
In these times and circumstances, it is an enormous collective challenge to reclaim the flag as a space for encounter and diversity, overcoming the narrative of war or the denigration of the adversary. Loving a team doesn't mean ignoring our own shortcomings or devaluing others, but rather recognizing in the other team's colors a valid interlocutor in the celebration of soccer. In a sense, it's an act of belonging and emotional memory. The jersey we wear and the flag hanging from the balcony carry within them family stories, gatherings with friends, stifled shouts from childhood, and the renewed hope every four years.
In a world that is both highly interconnected and socially fragmented, the 2026 World Cup offered an opportunity to reflect on how we experience sporting patriotism. For some, it served to express love for their own colors with mutual respect, demonstrating that the true value of a flag lies not in belittling others, but in its capacity to unite a people in a shared passion.
Tulio Guterman, Director - August 2026
Published:
2026-08-03
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