Spasiba, Russia — How the World Cup United Sport and History

MOSCOW: Red Square is steeped in history, but these days it has become the centre of the world—at least for the FIFA World Cup.

Once a silent witness to defining moments of the Second World War, the iconic square is now alive with colour and sound. 

The streets that once echoed with military marches are today lined with shops, sidewalk cafés and hotels buzzing with football fever.

Just opposite the Kremlin, visitors encounter some of the world’s finest brand stores and even an ice-cream parlour—an almost surreal contrast to the weight of history that surrounds the area.

At the heart of the square, the Fan Zone has become a magnet for children and young supporters, filled with cheers, chants and celebration. The older generation, however, gravitates toward quieter reflections—taking sombre walks past Vladimir Lenin’s mausoleum or pausing to admire the statues that stand as reminders of Russia’s past.

In many ways, the tournament has seamlessly merged sport with history. For those intrigued by Russia’s role in the Second World War, it takes little effort to rewind the clock. Find a quiet corner of the street and imagine the biting cold of November 7, 1941, when Joseph Stalin delivered his historic speech here, addressing Soviet troops just before they marched off to war.

Today, fans from every corner of the globe gather here each afternoon, exchanging pleasantries, embracing strangers, and singing the universal chant of “ole, ole.”

At a time when the world is often divided by heated arguments and proxy conflicts, the competition has offered a rare moment of unity.

It is not unusual to see a Mexican fan hugging two Russian women right across from the majestic Kremlin, or Tunisians posing for photographs with Spanish supporters beneath the statue of Georgy Zhukov—the most decorated general of the Soviet Union and a central figure in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Near the iconic Saint Basil’s Cathedral, a German war veteran casually practiced ball-control skills with his grandchildren, eager to be part of this shared celebration. Nearby, two young Spanish girls cooled themselves with ice-cream cones on a sunny afternoon, gazing in awe at the Kremlin’s towering red walls.

The significance of the tournament extends far beyond football. By bringing the world together in a place so deeply marked by conflict and sacrifice, the FIFA World Cup has transformed Red Square into one of the most powerful advertisements for peace. (www.footballwallah.blogspot.com)