6 Ways parishes can share their faith during the World Cup

This month, the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. New Jersey will host eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, culminating with the final on July 19.

For the Archdiocese of Newark, the tournament presents a special opportunity. MetLife Stadium sits just minutes from Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken. Hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world are expected to pass through our communities.

The world’s attention is fixed on soccer’s greatest prize, but Catholics know there is another cup that unites people of every nation and language: the Cup of Salvation.  While the World Cup celebrates athletic excellence and international competition, the Eucharist gathers God’s people into a communion that transcends borders, cultures and generations.

The coming weeks present an opportunity for parishes to extend hospitality, share the faith, and invite visitors seeking prayer, community, and worship. As the nations gather for the World Cup, our churches can become places of welcome, prayer, and renewal, offering something no stadium can provide: an encounter with the Lord.

Here are six ways parishes can prepare to welcome visitors during the World Cup.

1. From stadium to sanctuary

 Many international visitors will be looking for a place to worship while traveling. A parish that is easy to find and welcoming can become a spiritual home away from home.

The Archdiocese of Newark’s Parish Finder, available at www.RCAN.org, is an easy way for visitors to find nearby parishes and Mass times.

Parishes can:

• Publish current Mass schedules online and highlight bilingual or multilingual liturgies.
• Promote opportunities for confession and Eucharistic adoration.
• Create visitor-friendly webpages with directions, parking and public transportation information.
• Provide greeters after Mass and water/coffee hospitality.

2. Share sacred and cultural heritage

 Many travelers will seek meaningful experiences beyond the matches. Cathedrals, historic churches, and sacred spaces often become destinations during major international events. Parishes can:

• Offer guided church tours.
• Highlight sacred art, stained-glass windows, and historic architecture.
• Share the story of the parish and the Catholic heritage of the local community.
• Host organ recitals or sacred music programs.

3. Turn international visitors into pilgrims

The World Cup will bring together people from every continent, including many Catholics eager to connect with local faith communities. Parishes can encourage these visitors to become pilgrims, helping them to transform their fandom into a deeper encounter with God.

Possible initiatives include:

• Providing multilingual “Welcome Pilgrims” signage, prayer cards, and worship aids.
• Hosting international rosaries or Holy Hours.
• Celebrating Masses that recognize visiting cultural or national communities.
• Partnering with ethnic apostolates and cultural ministries throughout the archdiocese.

Such efforts can strengthen awareness of the Church’s universality and foster deeper communion among God’s people.

4. Strengthen digital outreach

 During the tournament, millions of people will search online for local information, including places of worship.

Parishes can:

• Ensure websites and social media accounts are up-to-date and easy to navigate.
• Provide easily accessible information about Mass times, Eucharistic adoration hours, confession availability, prayer opportunities, and parish events.
• Promote special activities that may be of interest to visitors.

5. Welcome charitable and spiritual support

Visitors who feel welcomed and inspired often seek ways to support the communities they encounter. Parishes may see increased engagement through offerings, parish events, and local ministries.

By providing materials that explain parish programs that meet your community’s spiritual and operational needs, visitors will better understand how their generosity can positively impact others.

While financial support is never the primary goal, such generosity can help sustain parish life and outreach efforts. Also, be sure to encourage visitors to offer their spiritual support through prayer.

6. Evangelize through joyful presence

Large international gatherings create unique moments when people are more open to reflection and encounter. Away from their daily routines, visitors often seek meaning, community, and spiritual connection.

A church that is open, beautiful, prayerful, and welcoming can become a place of grace. Someone may arrive seeking directions, a moment of quiet, or a Sunday Mass, and leave with a renewed relationship with Christ and his Church.

As the world gathers for a championship, the parishes of the Archdiocese of Newark stand ready to welcome all nations for Mass, prayer, and fellowship. In the words of Psalm 116:13: “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”