Churchman says Christians should not watch World Cup

One self-proclaimed man of God is urging believers to stay far away from the World Cup, arguing that watching the global tournament could put their spirituality and salvation at risk.

“Christians should refrain from taking part in the World Cup. No Christian should be sitting down and watching it. I have got the revelation about the spirit behind sports,” said Godfrey Jesse Williams, a Seventh-day Adventist. Williams said God impressed it upon his heart that Christians should avoid the tournament altogether. 

“A lot of Christians are caught up in sports, and as a result, they are not able to give God the devotion that God requires of them,” he said. “When they choose to sit in front of a television for hours, they are giving their time to another entity that is the enemy of God.”

“I’m not against the people of the world watching it. My warning is to Christians, people who call themselves Christians,” he added. Williams pointed to biblical scripture to defend his stance.

“The name says it all, the World Cup, and the Bible tells us in 1st John 2:15 that we are not to love the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,” he argued.

He added that sports represent “vain glory” and competition that clashes with Christian principles.

“The spirit within Christ, the mindset of Christ, goes contrary to sports because sports is for glorification, vain glory. I want to exalt myself. I want to dominate as title winner. I want to win you badly,” he said. “The scoreboard that we saw in 2014 when Germany defeated Brazil 7-1, I could see the devastation on the Brazilian team and how they were crying. I'm not a Brazilian fan, but I felt the pain for them and it was such a painful experience. People mocking them … calling them ‘Seven’.”

When asked how he could recall such details while warning Christians not to watch sports, Williams laughed and admitted he was once deeply invested in sports.

“I didn’t say I never used to watch sports. I used to watch. I was a big sports fan. I was a big Michael Jordan fan, big Chicago Bulls fan, big basketball fan and I was a big Messi fan, Barcelona fan,” he said.

“But I’ve come to the realisation, enough is enough. Now is the time for me to put an end to loving the things of the world because it robs you from your devotion.”

According to Williams, his struggle became even more difficult because of his commitment as a Sabbath keeper. He recalled battling temptation during the 2022 World Cup when Argentina faced Mexico on a Sabbath.

“I struggled that day. I had to fight a good fight, resist the temptation of checking my phone to see the score,” he said. “I don’t even watch sports talk shows anymore. I don’t want to hear what the commentators have to say. I just avoid everything relating to sports.”

Asked if Christians could simply watch matches in moderation, Williams was firm. 

“They can’t even do that. No, because of the addictiveness of sports. You take one watch, it’s going to captivate you and you’re going to want to see more,” he argued. “Just cut off sports entirely as a Christian if you want to make it to heaven.”

Williams also had a message for Christians considering attending watch parties or travelling for matches.

“I am sure the World Cup is not being played in heaven, so why are they so caught up in something that is an earthly event?” he questioned. “It is a very dangerous thing for you to pause your Christianity for a moment and enjoy the pleasures of this world for a time. What will it profit a man to gain the whole world — the World Cup — and lose his soul?”

He further argued that sports stir emotions Christians should avoid. 

“There will be jeering, mocking, anger, frustration. Even Christians themselves, if their team loses, will manifest these behaviours,” he said. Williams also believes churches and evangelism efforts may be affected during the tournament.

“A lot of evangelists are going to ensure they have nothing church-wise to do on that day,” he claimed, adding that many Christians struggle to resist the temptation of watching football, especially when matches fall on the Sabbath. Despite expecting criticism — including from fellow Seventh-day Adventists, Williams said he felt compelled to speak out.

“Many of them are lovers of sports and many of them will be breaking the Sabbath to watch sports, and they don’t want to hear this, but it is a message for them in particular, and all Christians who love the Lord,” he said.