Sports have always been a fundamental part of my life. I spent countless afternoons on the lacrosse field and tennis court, and I grew up watching football and basketball with my family. Long before I could understand why, sports taught me that it is more than just a game, win or loss, a goal scored, or a play made. Sports build community. They have a unique way of bringing people together, giving people something to hope for, celebrate, and believe in together. I had experienced this countless times before at home, but I never expected to find that same feeling thousands of miles away.

The clock struck two A.M., and I felt conflicted. Every part of me wanted to go to bed. My feet were heavy, my mind was foggy, and after a long day I was fighting to keep my eyes open. But when would I ever find myself in Morocco during a World Cup match again? I ordered another Diet Coke, splashed water on my face, and decided to stay. 

As it came down to the final few minutes of the game, Morocco still hadn’t scored. The cafe was silent. Every pair of eyes was glued to the screen. Our fists were clenched, we jittered our feet and squinted our eyes in great despair the game was over. Then, in the final moments, Morocco dribbled the ball down the field. One shot. And one goal. The cafe exploded. Hope had been repaired in each of us through the screams we belted. We cheered alongside the man smoking a cigarette, the teenage boys slouching in front of us, and the couple finishing dinner behind us. The score was tied, and the game was headed into overtime. 

Neither team scored in overtime, sending the match to a penalty shootout. It was 5 A.M., but no one seemed tired. We stood up, linked arms, and squeezed each other’s hands with every kick. As the player stepped up for the final penalty, the shot that could win it all, we held our breath. Our eyes followed the ball as it soared through the air and landed in the back of the net. The cafe was electric. People leapt onto tables, chairs were thrown into the air. Horns echoed from the streets, and strangers threw their arms around one another. Everyone jumped together in a sea of celebration, joined by a shared sense of joy and pride. 

At that moment, I was not watching Morocco celebrate, I was celebrating with them. I no longer felt I was visiting the country. I felt I was a part of the crowd. Even though I was surrounded by people from different countries and backgrounds who spoke different languages, for once, those differences did not define the moment because none of that mattered. We all felt the joy of a goal, the fear of a missed shot, and the hope for a last minute victory. Without knowing the same words, we shared the same emotion.

Sports have the power to change the world. A game can turn strangers into teammates, a cafe into a community, and a visitor into someone who feels like they belong. Sports have the power to unite people in a way that little else does, and for that reason, whether playing or watching, sports will always be a part of who I am.