evidence: Sports and religion are closely connected. Faith plays an important role in the lives of athletes. Sports and faith foster discipline. Religious rituals on and off the pitch are occasions to express identity and is a source of motivation. They nurture a sense of belonging and create communities. Top level athletes have, and professional football players in particular, become big influencers followed by millions around the world. Given the technological advances the world has witnessed over the past two decades, and the fact that the World Cup will be held for the first time in a Muslim country, the connection between Islam and sports is scrutinized more than ever before. This scrutiny is not only one sided, in other words how Islam is seen through the others’ lenses in terms of its readiness to change, and to accommodate global trends. It is also from within Muslim communities who are passionate about the World Cup, but uncomfortable with different agenda surrounding it, including the implications of hosting mega sport event such as the FIFA World Cup on local culture and tradition as well as the performance and the behaviour of Muslim follow players.