Human Writes: Chasing dreams on the pitch

DRC supporters in Kinshasa reacting as they watch the 2026 World Cup match against England on July 1 on an outdoor screen. Their national team tested heavyweight England, leading for over an hour before losing by one goal – and it comes from one of the poorest countries where less than 1% of the population fall in the consumer class. — AFP

At a time when meritocracy feels like a myth, and the lottery of birth and “inheritocracy” of parental wealth largely dictates our paths, it’s heartening to see a relatively level playing field.

The many underdog football teams at the 2026 World Cup – including from some of the poorest countries, such as Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – is inspiring.