Jewish Representation at the World Cup Is Small But Proud

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last month, it’s likely you’ve come across World Cup 2026 media. Over one thousand players represented 48 different countries, facing off in games that took place across North America, including many in the United States. It is a huge deal, especially as interest in soccer continues to rise in the U.S.

What has interested me more than the actual matches are the human stories that have emerged from the tournament: watching underdogs like Cape Verde defy expectations, Norwegian social media darling Erling Haaland’s off-pitch antics, and the drama of Folarin Balogun’s red card — these have been welcome distractions during this long, hot summer. 

Given the huge number of players who have been competing in this World Cup, it has been a bit surprising to hear that the main Jewish storyline is that American backup goalie Matt Turner is the only Jewish player at the Cup this year. I found myself feeling a bit baffled over that. Over a thousand players and 48 countries, and only one Jew? I pondered every time I saw headlines about Turner. Can that be right? 

Despite my best internet sleuthing efforts, I couldn’t find any other Jewish players. There are a few high-profile Jews filling other roles in the World Cup. NBC/Telemundo play-by-play announcer Andrés Cantor, for instance, is Jewish. The name might not be familiar, but his signature “GOOOOOOOAL” call probably is. The Argentinian-American is famous for how he announces goals on TV, and has appeared in all kinds of American pop culture, from Geico commercials to “The Simpsons” and “The Muppets”! 

Additionally, Cantor’s son Nico, who is also Jewish, has made a name for himself covering the World Cup (and soccer in general) over the last few years. Other Jewish soccer personalities have been visible on-air, too, including José Peckerman, who coached Lionel Messi early in his career, and former U.S. Men’s Team player Benny Feilhaber. 

The roster of Jewish footballers and personalities was slim for the 2026 World Cup — there’s no denying that. It is also true, however, that this year’s one Jewish player has a really interesting connection to his Judaism. He has spoken openly about discovering his Jewish heritage as an adult when he found his great-grandmother’s emigration papers. This fact led him to research his Jewish ancestors and their customs more, until he fully embraced Judaism in his own life. 

This is a story that is very similar to my own, and one that — speaking from experience — makes his Jewishness even more special. It wasn’t only something he was born into, but something he sought and then consciously adopted. Matt Turner isn’t just the World Cup’s only Jewish athlete; he is the only athlete at the World Cup who chose Judaism. 

It makes me think of another Jewish face that has been all over this World Cup: David Beckham, who is Jewish through his matrilineal grandfather. Like Turner, he has spoken openly about his family’s Jewish roots, and how important it is to him to keep those traditions alive. 

So, this might not have been a record-breaking year for the number of Jewish athletes at the World Cup, but I think that the Jewish faces that were visible throughout the tournament represent something important. We might not be a large group of people, but we — and the connections we have to our pasts and to each other — are mighty indeed.