FamilySearch, the genealogy platform best known for its extensive archives, has rolled out a new interactive experience timed with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative, called "The World’s Game," invites participants to explore possible kinship links to twenty legendary soccer players, turning the global tournament into a personal family‑history adventure.
A Global Celebration of Family and Football
The feature is accessible in eleven languages, ensuring a truly international audience can engage with the project. Users can view potential connections to iconic figures such as Bobby Charlton and Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga, while also accessing world‑cup statistics and interesting facts about each athlete.
Beyond simply mapping relationships, participants can enrich their experience by adding soccer‑related memories to a custom family tree, creating a personalized keepsake that commemorates the discovery. This blend of digital exploration and tangible memorabilia aims to deepen the emotional resonance of the sport.
To take part, users need only sign in or create a free account at FamilySearch.org, select the World’s Game module, and begin tracing their own lineage against the celebrated players. The platform’s intuitive interface guides them through each step, making the process both engaging and straightforward.