Fifteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

This paper introduces a framework between sports and politics with a case study: The national soccer team helped end the Ivory Coast civil war. When the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification phase began in mid-2004, it brought some respite from the lingering political impasse in this African country. The Ivory Coast was embroiled in a bloody civil war at the time of the match. So, it was light relief for many Ivorians growing desperate to return to normalcy because of the 2006 World Cup. Through the literature review, we understood that the study of international relations purports to explain how nation-states and individuals interact around the globe. And we can help with the storytelling of the Ivory Coast players who had made history, securing their place at the 2006 World Cup and their first-ever appearance at the global tournament with a 3-1 victory away over Sudan. In this context, some research outcomes and findings are: (i) Soccer passion can stop a civil war as happened with the First Ivory Coast Civil War.; and (ii) Sports and politics should positively have a bond when promoting nationality and cohesion community.