Switzerland’s fans are ecstatic as their team advances to the World Cup quarter-finals. But let’s take a moment to examine how this jubilant event is framed by our beloved corporate media. Coverage from outlets like CNN and ESPN is dripping with the usual glorification of ‘unity’ and ‘sportsmanship,’ glossing over the fact that when it comes to European soccer, it’s all about national pride. This is a feel-good story, sure, but it hides the deeper currents of nationalism and competition fueling the beautiful game.

Meanwhile, Fox News might highlight the passionate celebrations in Switzerland with patriotic zeal, yet they love to paint these moments without acknowledging the ironies—what’s so “unifying” about a crowd donning red and white possibly chanting for a victory over another nation? It’s every country for itself, and that’s sport at its rawest. However, our mainstream media wants us to believe that soccer is a model for global harmony. Give me a break!

Now, don’t get me wrong—celebrating athletic achievements is essential, and I’m all for it. But why do we continue to let corporate media dictate how we perceive such moments? While they craft their narratives of unity, ordinary fans are simply reveling in their teams’ victories, relishing the fleeting dopamine of triumph, without the need for the ideological framing that major outlets impose. If anyone should celebrate, it should be the fans, not the corporate giants distorting the narrative for clicks and ratings.