World Cup support is often built around shared rituals. Fans arrive together, wear national colours, sing in unison and continue celebrating long after the final whistle. Smith reportedly believes NFL crowds could embrace more of that energy, particularly through pre-match gatherings and post-game traditions.
“The fans have a chance now to see how the world celebrates their teams,” Smith said.
That does not mean copying football culture wholesale. The NFL already has powerful traditions, from tailgates to fight songs, but the atmosphere can be more fragmented. Smith’s point is that supporters can make the occasion feel collective before, during and after the game.
Daryl Johnston reportedly shares that cross-sport curiosity. The former Dallas Cowboys full-back attended Nigeria’s meeting with Bulgaria at the 1994 World Cup and has long admired football’s movement and technique.
“I always loved the game,” Johnston said.
His appreciation extends to the similarities between the sports. Change of direction, balance and spatial awareness are valuable in both codes, even if the rhythm and physical demands differ. Johnston also played football informally during his Cowboys career, despite the club’s reported concerns about injury risk.
Smith’s comments also turned to Cristiano Ronaldo and the difficulty of leaving a sport that has shaped a player’s identity since childhood. He reportedly reflected on being present for what he described as Ronaldo’s final appearance for Portugal, while recognising how painful retirement can be.
That perspective strengthens Smith’s wider argument: sport is not only competition. It is memory, belonging and the shared emotion of watching heroes represent something larger than themselves.
The next NFL season will offer a chance to see whether supporters embrace more visible rituals, while future international tournaments will keep exposing American audiences to football’s communal traditions.