Is Your Church Ready for the World Cup?
Church leaders, we know the rhythm. You’ve just cleared the hurdle of Christmas, and your eyes are likely fixed on Easter preparations as you catch up. The calendar is full, and the "to-do" list is long.
But what if this year’s most significant international mission opportunity this year didn't require a plane ticket, a visa, or a 12-hour flight? This summer, the mission field isn't "over there"—it’s in our parking lots, our parks, and our homes.
From June 11 to July 19, the eyes of the world will be on Houston. As we host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, our city will become a global crossroads. Houston isn’t just hosting a tournament. We’re welcoming the nations and bringing together our communities.
The question is: Will the Church be ready to meet them with gospel truth?
Join this citywide effort to pray, participate, and proclaim Christ during the World Cup
Why World Cup?
On any given day in Houston, we have an incredible opportunity to engage the nations living next door. 350 different people groups speaking 220+ languages are scattered across Houston, giving us the highest diversity index in the United States. That means you’re more likely to live next to someone culturally different than you than anywhere else in the US. Add in healthy churches (many of which are immigrant churches), and we have an unmatched opportunity for gospel engagement.
And the World Cup in our city this summer multiplies that opportunity. We are expecting over 500,000 international visitors, while billions more engage online. This is a once-in-a-generation window to share the hope of Christ with people who may never otherwise step foot inside a church.
UBA is partnering with several local and national organizations to help your church answer the call. We’re calling this citywide effort "Winning Houston."
How Your Church Can Get Involved
We’ve categorized the "Winning Houston" efforts into three primary pillars: Pray, Participate, and Proclaim.
1. Pray:
Awaken Houston (Feb 18-April 5, 2026) is an annual citywide effort of prayer, fasting, and preaching during Lent.
This year, city-wide prayer walks will focus on the FanZones and key outreach sites before the World Cup. Awaken Houston is partnering with the Holy Here app to see 100,000 miles of prayer walks throughout our city.
Pray against human trafficking at Unite & Ignite
2. Participate:
Get more information. Stoller Foundation is hosting a training and information forum so your church can be prepared. This event will be Tuesday, February 26, 1-3 PM at the Stoller Foundation (10750 Hammerly Boulevard, Suite 255, Houston)
Participate in Soccer Fest. 7 Stadiums across Houston are hosting “Soccer Fest” soccer camps designed as gospel invitations. Each event will have a clinic, worship, and a clear gospel presentation. Churches can volunteer to help invite, run clinics, translate, welcome, and follow up with those who want to follow Christ.
Host a watch party with free evangelism kits. Cru has created a fantastic church-facing website to help leaders engage in our city. Order an evangelism kit, learn what level of license your church would need to host a watch party, begin planning to engage well in your neighborhood.
Find that information here: victorybeyondthecup.com/church-leader
Host a Festival of Nations in your community. Connect with gospel-centered sports organizations like Revival Sport or SportsQuest to host a community festival in your neighborhood.
3. Proclaim:
Engage international visitors in evangelism at the Fan Zone and high-traffic community spaces. We’ll need gospel proclamation in a variety of languages (especially German, Portuguese, Arabic, Papiamento/Dutch, Kabuverdianu, Uzbek, and Dutch) to engage the nations flooding into Houston to join in on the fun.
Get trained in cross-cultural outreach and gospel conversation at upcoming events for your church. We will let you know as organizations prep to train those who would like to go.
Get Connected
Ready to mobilize your congregation?
Download the one-page informational sheet to share with your church.
Contact: Meredith Hana (210.232.2544) or Roman Khripunov (713.897.1711) for more information
Practical ways your church can reach the nations and your neighbors during the World Cup this summer!