Soccer’s Holy Grail: Interrogating the Preponderance of Fandom over Faith in the age of Globalization

Abstract

Every religion has practices and values which help it to retain its adherents and give it a sustainable identity. However, whenever the values of a particular religion appear to no longer satisfy the yearnings of its adherents, a gap is created. With the advent of globalization, many religious practices are being subjected to scrutiny. This article examines the emergence of football (or soccer) in the modern world, describing its evolving influence as a new religion in the secular society. Through the analysis presented, and with participant-observer findings, we show how strong the influence of football has become across the globe, especially in Nigeria. The article reveals that modern football has presented an irresistible attraction to those dissatisfied with religion, and has bonded soccer-loving fans to common goals similar to, or even more intense than, those seen among adherents of religion.