Football has often mirrored societal issues. It played a role in breaking racial barriers, with figures like Brazil’s Pelé and France’s Zinedine Zidane challenging stereotypes. The sport has also been a platform for protests, such as anti-racism campaigns like "Kick It Out."
Politically, football has been used for diplomacy, exemplified by the "Football War" between Honduras and El Salvador in 1969 or the symbolic matches during Cold War tensions. Conversely, it has fostered unity, as seen in South Africa’s 2010 World Cup, promoting reconciliation post-apartheid.