Behind every goal, every save, and every victory are stories of hard work, sacrifice, and, for many of the stars of the 2026 World Cup, faith in God. Meet the Catholic soccer players and coaches who live out their faith both on and off the field.
1) Luka Modrić (Croatia)
The captain of the Croatian national team has participated in several Catholic events with his teammates, including a Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity in the lead-up to the World Cup. He also keeps images of his family, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Virgin Mary inside his shin guards, which he kisses before stepping onto the field.
2) Mateo Kovačić (Croatia)
Kovačić has said that his faith has sustained him, especially during the most difficult moments of his career, including the serious injury he suffered as a teenager. He has also shared that prayer gives him peace before matches and the strength to face competition.
On a personal level, he met his wife through their parish and has made several pilgrimages to the shrine of Medjugorje.
3) Kristijan Jakić (Croatia)
Before Croatia's World Cup debut, the midfielder told EWTN:
"We are a Catholic country where faith is the path of our lives. I believe that faith represents the entire national team. Faith is everything in our lives."
4) Igor Matanović (Croatia)
In the same interview with EWTN, the striker emphasized the role God plays in his life:
"I think faith is very important to me. When you pray to God, you feel like someone is listening to you, and that gives me a lot of strength."
5) Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Raised Catholic, Lionel Messi has said on several occasions that he considers his talent a gift from God. Although he did not marry in the Catholic Church, his children were baptized during family visits to Argentina.
6) Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
The Belgian striker is a practicing Catholic. In 2018, after controversy linked him to voodoo, his agent clarified that Lukaku "is very Catholic." The forward often makes the Sign of the Cross before matches and after scoring. During a 2014 pilgrimage to Lourdes, he wrote:
"Faith has always been important to me. Since Lourdes. God is great."
7) Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
The Brazilian forward has publicly shared that faith plays a central role in his life. In a 2018 interview with Marca, he affirmed his Catholic faith, saying:
"God is everything to me."
He also has a tattoo that reads, "Blessed by God."
8) Matt Freese (United States)
The American goalkeeper has said that his faith guides both his life and his soccer career. A lifelong Catholic, he attended Mass even on game days and continues to participate in Bible studies. He also follows the popular podcast The Bible in a Year, hosted by Father Mike Schmitz, as part of his spiritual life.
9) Armando "The Ant" González (Mexico)
The young Mexican striker gave a public witness to his faith during this year’s World Cup. Before Mexico's match against the Czech Republic, he was seen kneeling before an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Afterward, he said:
"I am very grateful to God for everything He has given me... Everything I have is thanks to God."
10) Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil)
Brazil's head coach is a practicing Catholic and is known for his devotion to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. After accepting the job, one of his first stops was the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary, where he received a rosary and a blessing from the sanctuary's rector.
In an interview, he also said:
"I believe in God, and I ask things of Him, although for personal reasons, not for football [soccer]."
11) Zlatko Dalić (Croatia)
The Croatian coach has said on numerous occasions that his Catholic faith is the foundation of his life.
In 2017, he stated:
"Everything I have achieved in my life and professional career I owe to my faith, and I am grateful to my dear God."
He has also shared that he served as an altar boy, makes a point of attending Sunday Mass, and always carries a rosary in his pocket, especially turning to it during difficult moments.
Faith Also Has a Place at the World Cup
Amid the competition, intense training, and the pressure of representing their countries, these players and coaches find in the Catholic faith a source of hope, strength, and purpose. Their witness reminds us that the greatest victories begin long before the final whistle—in the way we live each day.