Takeaway
Like realizing success in soccer, exceptional healthcare depends on teamwork, patience, persistence, and hope.
Passion in the medical profession | June 11, 2026 | 2 min read
By Scott Wright, MD, CLOSLER Executive Editor, Johns Hopkins Medicine
This summer, the world turns its eyes to North America as the World Cup holds games across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. For 39 days, from the electric energy of Mexico City to the iconic stadiums of the U.S. and the passionate crowds across Canada, 48 nations will compete in the biggest World Cup in history, with 104 matches filling cities with anticipation, pride, and unforgettable moments. Billions of people around the globe will once again be drawn into the drama, joy, heartbreak, and inspiration that only the World Cup can deliver.
The lessons of soccer often mirror the lessons of healthcare. In both settings, success depends on preparation, teamwork, resilience, and trust. Watching the world’s teams compete on the grand stage of the 2026 World Cup reminds us that “the beautiful game” has much to teach us about how we support one another, how we work together under pressure, and how we strive for something greater than ourselves.
Every team member matters
Soccer is the ultimate team sport. With 11 players on the field at once, success depends not only on the stars, but on every player doing their part. In many ways, it’s a “weak link” game—the outcome is often shaped by the 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th best player on the pitch.
The same is true in healthcare. A team is only as strong as its most vulnerable link. A missed step, a delayed response, or one small error can change the result. That is why consistency matters, and why every member of the team—from the front line to the back office—must be supported, trained, and valued. We all need coaching. We all need to keep growing.
Patience pays off
In soccer, a goal rarely happens in one dramatic instant. It usually takes a sequence of smart passes, movement, and teamwork to create the chance that leads to a score. The same is true in medicine. Accurate diagnoses often require time, testing, and reevaluation. Treatments may need several adjustments before the right path is found.
Both soccer and healthcare remind us that progress isn’t always immediate. Patience, persistence, and steady effort are often what turn a promising start into a successful outcome.
Diverse teams win
The strongest World Cup teams are rarely made up of players who all look or play the same way. They succeed because they combine different strengths—speed, vision, creativity, discipline, leadership, and resilience. Great healthcare teams work the same way.
When we embrace diversity and let people contribute their unique talents, we create something stronger than any one individual could build alone. In medicine, that kind of collaboration helps us serve patients better and more compassionately.
Keep believing
The World Cup is always full of surprises. Underestimated teams rise. Favorites fall. Momentum shifts. That uncertainty is part of what makes the tournament so compelling. Fans know this well. The chant “I believe that we will win” captures something powerful—hope. In healthcare, hope matters too. Patients often need more than a diagnosis or treatment plan—they need encouragement, confidence, and the belief that improvement is possible.
Soccer reminds us to value teamwork, practice patience, embrace diversity, and keep faith—in our teams, in our patients, and in the possibility of better outcomes.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.