July 21st, 2026
World Cup momentum presents opportunity to boost participation and wellbeing
Community /Exercise /Fitness /Research /Retail /Sport /Wellness
Australia’s record interest in the 2026 FIFA World Cup may leave a legacy extending well beyond television audiences, with new research suggesting the tournament has created an opportunity to improve physical activity, mental wellbeing and community connection through greater participation in sport
According to SBS, more than 16 million Australians tuned in to watch the tournament, while research commissioned by sports equipment retailer Net World Sports found 93.4% of people who watch or participate in sport report at least one positive wellbeing benefit
The survey found the most commonly reported benefits were improved mood and happiness (49.3%), reduced stress and anxiety (45.8%) and stronger friendships (33.7%)
Net World Sports certified personal trainer Anwen Davies believes the social nature of sport is a key driver of those outcomes and shared “the record audience isn’t just a ratings statistic – it’s millions of shared experiences
“When people watch sport with others, they’re not passively consuming it. They’re connecting, and that’s where the effect on people’s wellbeing comes from.”
Participation opportunityWith Australia continuing to build interest in football following the World Cup, Davies said the sport offers an accessible entry point for people looking to become more active
Davies described football as a whole-body workout that combines interval cardiovascular exercise with strength, balance, agility and coordination and added “a single game blends interval-style cardio, leg and core strength, balance, coordination and agility without feeling like a gym session
“You’re too busy chasing the ball to notice you’re exercising.”
The research also suggests sport may play an important role in supporting men’s mental wellbeing
Among male respondents, 50.9% reported that watching or playing sport helped reduce stress and anxiety, while 48.9% said it improved their mood and happiness. More than one-third (34.7%) said sport helped them build and maintain friendships, and 30.8% reported it provided a sense of belonging or community
“Men are statistically less likely to talk about their mental health directly, but they will turn up to watch a match,” Davies said
“Sport gives them a reason to be in the room, and the connection happens as a side effect.”
Converting spectators into participantsThe findings reinforce the challenge facing sporting organisations and operators of converting major event audiences into sustained community participation
Davies encourages new players to begin with local community clubs, five-a-side football or futsal competitions before progressing to full-field competition
She also recommends gradually building fitness, investing in essential equipment such as appropriate footwear and shin guards, and following recognised injury prevention programs, including FIFA’s 11+ warm-up, which has been shown to reduce football-related injuries
Importantly, she said regular participation is most likely to continue when sport becomes part of a weekly social routine
“The tournament’s over, but the conditions it created for mental and physical wellbeing don’t have to be,” Davies continued
“Future games planned, a reason to gather and socialise, something to care about with other people – that’s what millions of Australians experienced during the World Cup
“Now is the time to maintain it. Join a five-a-side competition, sign up at a local club and keep the match nights going.”
About the dataNet World Sports commissioned an independent survey company, PureProfile, to survey 1,004 Australians to find out in which ways watching and playing sport impacts the social, emotional and mental wellbeing of adults
The survey was held and analysed in June 2025 and was conducted in line with the nationally representative percentage targets for age, gender and location (state)
Image: Credit: Pexels.
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