Spurlock Sunday: World Cup 2026 Tutorial: The Language of Football

• Event Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
• Time: 1:00 pm–3:00 pm (CDT)
• Location: Hundley Central Core Gallery, Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL

• Hands-on
• Family-Friendly tag

Every sport has a culture, and few things anchor culture like language. This is because humans crave communication. As one of the host countries for World Cup 2026, it's important for Americans to acquire some fluency with the unique ‘language’ and non-verbal customs around international football (mostly Americans call it soccer). Though language isn't limited to words, understanding some of football’s extraordinary glossary will facilitate clearer communication with the millions of arriving visitors who’ve grown up in football-fluent cultures within football-centric societies. 

National Team uniforms, or ‘kits’, are the linga franca (bridge ‘language’) used by speakers of different native languages to visually communicate their national pride and solidarity. Kits typically display the symbolic colors on their country’s national flag. However unprecedented proceeds from merchandise have inspired creative color experimentation by major kit designers. While wearing a beloved national team's kit in packed stadiums, sports bars, and family rooms, the non-verbal message from spectators is clear: “Whenever our country is playing, consider me on the pitch with them!!” 

Please join us as we design and construct replicas of national team kits using basic origami. Also, view a private collection of vintage kits from previous World Cup tournaments. And feel welcome to wear the kit of your favorite national or club team. Who knows, a spontaneous of game of 'keepy-uppy' might commence on the lawn! 

Here are a few essential football terms that will help beginners interpret the game of football: 

• Pitch (the field of play) 
• Kit (the uniform)
• Boots (cleats)
• Keepy-Uppy (juggling a ball using any part of the body except arms and hands)
• Caps (# of games played for one’s national team)

About the Series

Spurlock Sundays are free, drop-in programs held on one Sunday of the month from 1:00–3:00 pm. Programs are open to visitors of all ages and developed with youth and family in mind. Spurlock Sunday activities can take a multitude of forms, from crafts, games, performances, topical open-mic sharing, community conversations, and hands-on experiences with cultural artifacts.