Dad Shares Why First World Cup With His Son Feels Magic

Alex Bysouth thought his almost six-year-old might never fall in love with football, and that would have been fine. But just in time for the 2026 World Cup, something clicked.

Four years ago during Qatar, watching matches together meant battling toddler resistance and catching glimpses between Bluey episodes. This summer brought a complete transformation: Panini sticker swaps, learning all 48 nations' flags, and breathless early morning sessions watching Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland highlights before breakfast.

The BBC Sport journalist writes that experiencing the tournament through his son's eyes feels like seeing football for the first time again. There are a million innocent questions he hasn't thought about in decades, spontaneous Ronaldo celebrations in grocery store aisles, and passionate debates about which star will score next.

Some things have changed from his own childhood. This World Cup happens on the other side of the world, so no staying up late or rushing to school early to watch live matches. The connection happens differently too: his son knows Pele not from watching him play, but because his favorite YouTuber pulled a rare Pele card.

But the core magic remains identical. Filling out sticker books and wall charts, unboxing football figures (they have two Bradley Barcolas if anyone needs one), and spending hours in the garden recreating tournament goals as Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham. Bysouth jokes this will be the summer they buy a new fence.

Sunny's Take

The most touching moment came when Bysouth's grandpa died during the tournament. His final interaction with the boys was mailing England stickers he'd picked up during his weekly shopping trip. That small, thoughtful gesture became how his great-grandsons will remember him.

Bysouth acknowledges his son might not remember this World Cup at all. Next week could bring a return to chasing Pokemon, and that's okay too. The gift of childhood is living completely in the moment.

For now, a father and son are knee-deep in shared wonder. They're part of something that connects supporters embracing in Mexico City fan parks to families gathered around sticker books in Manchester. The World Cup bridges generations, whether you watched Pele at Goodison Park or discovered him through a YouTube card pack.

This tournament has already given this family their forever summer.