I finished my degree in Sociology with a minor in History, and since I work at a University that will let me receive more education for free, I have decided to pursue a new degree in Information Technology. I am currently taking an entry-level tech class where I am exploring different types of technology and how it interacts with various fields, environments, and workplaces. This course is surprisingly heavy when it comes to shorter papers (2-5 pages), and so I will be uploading new content to this blog that will have a technology vibe to it.
How does the Netherlands’ performance in the FIFA World Cup influence national morale or mental health?
I found a dataset on Kaggle that I am basing this paper on. The FIFA World Cup 1930–2022 dataset is a comprehensive historical record of every match played in the tournament from its inception in 1930 through the most recent edition in 2022. Each entry in the dataset represents a single match and includes detailed information such as the tournament year, stage (e.g., group stage, quarterfinals, final), match date and time, stadium, city, and host country. It also records the names and codes of the home and away teams, their respective scores, and the final outcome of the match (win, loss, or draw). Additional fields capture whether the match involved extra time or penalty shootouts, and the results of those if applicable. This structured dataset enables in-depth analysis of team performance, tournament progression, and historical trends, making it a valuable resource for sports researchers, data analysts, and fans alike.
https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/jahaidulislam/fifa-world-cup-1930-2022-all-match-dataset
The FIFA dataset allows me to track the Netherlands’ performance over time, analyze outcomes and trends, and then correlate performance with public sentiment or mental health trends to build visualizations and data-driven arguments for my research.
The FIFA World Cup 1930-2022 dataset is publicly available and does not contain personal or sensitive information but there are still a few ethical and privacy considerations to keep in mind when using it in an academic way. The dataset is historical and factual, but errors in match records or misrepresentations of results could lead to misleading conclusions. It is important for me to cite my sources and clarify any assumptions or transformations made during analysis. Using match outcomes to draw conclusions about national sentiment or mental health must be done carefully. Correlation does not imply causation, and such interpretations should be supported by additional evidence and clearly labeled as speculative. Football is deeply tied to national identity and pride. Presenting data in a way that appears biased, dismissive, or overly critical of a team or country could be seen as insensitive. Visualization and commentary should be respectful and balanced. If I incorporate Google trends or social media data, I need to be mindful of user privacy to avoid identifying individuals or quoting private content. Online sentiment may not represent the entire population and can be skewed by media coverage or bots.
The FIFA World Cup is more than a sporting event in the Netherlands—it is a cultural phenomenon that unites the nation. Historical data shows that the Netherlands has had several strong World Cup performances, notably in 1974, 2010, and 2014, where the team reached the final or semifinals. These moments often coincide with surges in national pride and public enthusiasm.
Research by FIFA and the World Health Organization highlights the emotional toll of international football, not just on players but also on fans. Campaigns like #ReachOut were launched to address the mental health challenges that arise during such high-stakes tournaments. (FIFA, 2023)
Public sentiment, as reflected in social media and Google Trends, often mirrors the team's performance—victories spark joy and unity, while losses can lead to short-term dips in mood or increased stress.
Peak performance occurred in 1974, 2010, and 2014, when the team reached the final or semifinals. (Chakravorty, 2022)
This relationship suggests a practical application: mental health organizations and public institutions could time awareness campaigns or community events around major tournaments. By aligning with moments of national attention, these efforts could reach wider audiences and provide support when emotions are running high. (McMorrow, 2022)
References:
Chakravorty, J. (2022, December 6). FIFA World Cup 2022: Tackling stress off-field. Happiest
Health. https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/mental-health/stress-during-world-cup
FIFA. (2023, October 10). World of football continues to take strides to raise mental health
awareness. https://inside.fifa.com/health-and-medical/news/world-of-football-continues-to-takestrides-to-raise-mental-health-awareness
Islam, J. (2023). FIFA World Cup 1930–2022 All Match Dataset [Data set].
Kaggle. https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/jahaidulislam/fifa-world-cup-1930-2022-all-matchdataset
McMorrow, J., & Rice, R. (2022, November 8). Call to protect footballers’ mental health during
the World Cup. Pinsent Masons. https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/protectfootballers-mental-health-world-cup
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