The Underdog: By Diran Avagyan

A friend and colleague of mine, who is also a licensed soccer coach and a passionate fan of the sport, has a tradition before every major tournament. He prepares and distributes the full match schedule with a special column where everyone can predict the scores.

As the 2026 World Cup continues, it is fascinating to observe how people's emotions rise and fall with each result. Some become frustrated when their favorite teams lose. Others rejoice in hard-fought victories. Still others are amazed by the success of teams they never expected to advance.

This year's tournament has been especially exciting, with several African teams delivering remarkable performances. Egypt, Ghana, Congo, Senegal, and Morocco have captured the world's attention through their determination and skill.

In an interview with NPR, Moroccan superfan Mustapha Chliah said, "It's time to stop calling us underdogs. We're here for the title. Underdogs? That was back in 1998. But in 2026, in America, we're here to win."

Just as in sports, life is unpredictable. Yesterday's underdogs can become tomorrow's champions, to the surprise of some and the dismay of others. Life moves through seasons of triumph and disappointment, victories and defeats, excitement and frustration. The real question is not whether we will experience setbacks, but how we respond when our expectations are not met. Do we become bitter, discouraged, and resentful? Or do we commit ourselves to growth through perseverance, discipline, and faith?

King Solomon reminds us, "Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes" (Proverbs 24:16). Our greatest defeat is not falling; it is surrendering to hopelessness, losing our motivation, and abandoning our resolve. Faith, resilience, and hope enable us to rise again, often stronger than before.

Let us never forget that victory and defeat are simply two sides of the same coin. Neither is permanent. As our Lord reminds us, "The last will be first, and the first last" (Matthew 20:16). Therefore, being an "underdog" is not a verdict but a season of preparation and an opportunity for growth that, with perseverance and hope, can lead to unexpected victory.