The World Cup should be a celebration of unity through sport, yet this year’s tournament has been overshadowed by the spectre of toxic nationalism. Nationalism, a potent political force is being perversely contorted into a symbol of aggression unmoored from the democratic process by the unholy trinity of the Argentinian football team, the president of Argentina and, lamentably, the President of the United States.
St. Paul argues us to obey the authorities of the day, and in this case, by extension this would be the 2023 referendum in which Falkland Islanders overwhelmingly reaffirmed their wish to remain a British Overseas Territory. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” (Romans 13:1) The ‘out of sight out of mind’ argument, sits uncomfortably with the example of Jesus who taught emphatically “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) National identity is written on the hearts of woman and men as well as enshrined in laws, it is not simply confined to geographical location. It is our Christian duty to protect the fragile and vulnerable voices of the collective democratic voice of the people, not simply be mesmerised by the antics on the football field by a few in the name of the many.
As Christians we worship the Prince of Peace and it is our sacred duty to build up our common lives together. We should not be stoking the fires of hell on earth but seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, the righteousness of the prince of peace. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)
The Trumpian vision of humankind, propping up quasi-dictators is a bleak outlook. Lord Sumption spoke prophetic words that America is a mirror, or looking glass into our own future. (Delivered Windsor Castle Fellows Lecture, July 2026, entitled America) He shared in our personal interaction that this Alice is wonderland future is bleak and anti-democratic at its core. Christians, both Catholic and Anglican, should stand together in the face of Tyranny, especially when confronted with leaders such as President Javier Milei of Argentina and President Trump.
Football players on the international stage weaponing the Cross, the most sacred image reminding us that despair can be transformed into hope for individuals and nations by encounter with Jesus Christ should be named for what it is – sacrilegious and idolatrous. Argentinian football players making the sign of the cross or dropping to their knees in ‘prayer’ distorts the fundamental act of worshipping the one true God. The awesome God who met an Iron aged sheik called Abram and made a covenant with him that through him, Abraham, every nation of earth shall be blessed. “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
History shows that whenever the Cross is torn from its sacred meaning and conscripted into political theatre, violence is never far behind. We see it in Tommy Robinson’s grotesque use of Christian imagery to launder racism, in MAGA Christianity’s transformation of faith into a tribal badge, and now in the Argentinian team’s weaponizing of prayer gestures on the pitch. These movements have nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with power. The Cross is the sign of self-giving love, not nationalist bravado, and its misuse is a warning history has taught us to fear.
A prophetic word for the here and now is found in the person of Jesus, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) We should resist the seduction of ease and comfort but act courageously against toxic nationalism, a despotic Argentinian president and against Trump, and wholeheartedly support our sisters and brothers in the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands.
James Gordon Reid Haveloch Jones is an educational consultant, public theologian, and author of an Amazon Top 50 Study Skills bestseller. He is an Honorary Associate Fellow of St George’s House, Windsor Castle, and a trustee of the Heythrop Association at the University of London. He completed post-graduate studies at the University of Oxford Faculty of Theology. He is a Contracted Contributing Writer for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (“God Who Speaks”) and a guest writer for: The Tablet, Church Times, National Catholic Reporter and Premier Christianity. Visit his website: www.jamesgordonreid.co.uk