Against a FIFA backdrop, a look at football and feminism through maternal legacies

Nishtha Gautam's essay uses the 2026 FIFA World Cup to explore football and feminism through maternal legacies.

The author's mother introduced her to football during the 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy.

The author has supported Brazil for three decades, despite the team not winning the World Cup since 2002.

The author and her teenage daughter, an Argentina hater, have never supported the same team since 2018.

The piece reflects on shared mother-daughter moments and the magical connection to football.