{"id":6138,"date":"2026-06-26T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/?p=6138"},"modified":"2026-06-26T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T08:00:00","slug":"fifa-2026-and-children-healthy-cheering","status":"publish","type":"clanky","link":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-2026-a-deti-ako-fandit-zdravo\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA 2026 and children: healthy cheering, screen limits and why to play too"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><p>The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is attracting whole families \u2013 children want to see goals, kits and stars such as <strong>Messi<\/strong>, <strong>Mbapp\u00e9<\/strong> or <strong>Ronaldo<\/strong>. Watching the World Cup can be a wonderful shared experience, but parents often ask themselves: <em>From what age is this actually okay? How many matches a week? What if the child gets upset after losing?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This article isn\u2019t about forcing children to play football \u2013 it\u2019s about <strong>FIFA 2026 and football in general<\/strong> They were a source of joy, exercise and fair play for the family, rather than stress in front of the screen.<\/p>\n<h2>Why children love the World Cup \u2013 and how to make the most of it<\/h2>\n<p>The tournament brings people together <strong>story, emotion and heroism<\/strong>. The child sees that something big is happening in the world \u2013 flags, national anthems, goals, hugs. This can inspire:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>interest in <strong>movement<\/strong> and the ball in the garden,<\/li>\n<li>learning <strong>fair play<\/strong> \u2013 both victory and defeat are part of the game,<\/li>\n<li>family rituals \u2013 watching a match together, a T-shirt, a colouring book afterwards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is important for parents to set <strong>frame<\/strong>: how much, when and how to cheer together. Below you\u2019ll find practical advice tailored to different age groups.<\/p>\n<h2>At what age can children start watching football?<\/h2>\n<p>There is no single \u201eright\u201c number \u2013 it depends on the child\u2019s attention span, sensitivity and whether you are there with them. Guidelines:<\/p>\n<h3>Pre-schoolers (aged 3\u20135)<\/h3>\n<p>Earlier <strong>short excerpts<\/strong> rather than the whole match \u2013 the goal, the celebrations, the mascots, the national anthem. A child doesn\u2019t yet understand tactics; they\u2019re entertained by the colours, the action and spending time with their parent. Watch it together and explain it simply: \u201eThe ball goes into the net = a goal.\u201c<\/p>\n<h4>A handy tip<\/h4>\n<p>Print this out before the match <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-2026-mascots\/\">FIFA 2026 mascots colouring book<\/a> (Maple, Zayu, Clutch) \u2013 this makes it easy for children to get ready for the tournament.<\/p>\n<h3>Younger primary school pupils (aged 6\u20139)<\/h3>\n<p>Most children already understand the rules and are starting to <strong>favourite team<\/strong>. They can manage half a match or a whole match with a break \u2013 provided you\u2019re there with them and their emotions don\u2019t get the better of them.<\/p>\n<h4>What to watch out for<\/h4>\n<p>Matches played too late in the evening (due to CEST) can disrupt sleep \u2013 for young fans, it\u2019s better to watch a recording or choose an earlier broadcast.<\/p>\n<h3>Older pupils and teenagers (aged 10 and over)<\/h3>\n<p>They can watch <strong>the whole match<\/strong> and discuss tactics. However, the following still applies: parents must ensure that a defeat does not lead to prolonged low spirits or the use of foul language towards the referees.<\/p>\n<h2>How much screen time is healthy \u2013 so that children don\u2019t overdo it<\/h2>\n<p>Football is great, but <strong>passive TV viewing<\/strong> It should not replace exercise, sleep or other activities. As a general guide (not medical advice):<\/p>\n<h3>Recommended screen time<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>3\u20135 years:<\/strong> rather 15\u201320 minutes of football a day during the tournament, not several matches in a row,<\/li>\n<li><strong>6\u20139 years:<\/strong> 1 main match a week \u201efor real\u201c + possibly some short news items; a little more during the holidays,<\/li>\n<li><strong>10+ years:<\/strong> 2\u20133 matches a week might be OK, provided the child is still sleeping, staying active and isn\u2019t experiencing mood swings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>During the school year vs. the holidays<\/h3>\n<p>In June and July, during <strong>FIFA 2026<\/strong> A tournament is a special occasion \u2013 you can set aside a couple of evenings a week. Once the World Cup is over, it\u2019s worth getting back to your normal routine. More tips for a balanced holiday: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/articles\/holiday-activities-for-children-ideas\/\">Activities for children during the holidays<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>The \u201escreen time\u201c rule\u201c<\/h4>\n<p>Before the evening match, have the child run, cycle or kick a ball around for at least 30 minutes \u2013 this will help them let off steam, and they\u2019ll sit more calmly in front of the TV.<\/p>\n<h2>How to support your team in a healthy way \u2013 even when they lose<\/h2>\n<p>For children, losing is often <strong>my first tough experience<\/strong> failing in front of the whole family. This is where parents play a key role.<\/p>\n<h3>Emotions are fine, aggression isn\u2019t<\/h3>\n<p>It is normal for a child to feel sad or angry. It is not normal:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>banging on the table, shouting at the players or the referees,<\/li>\n<li>to swear at an opponent or a team-mate,<\/li>\n<li>to write off the whole evening because of a single goal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Will this sentence help: <em>\u201eI\u2019m sorry too, but the match is over. We\u2019d like to thank them for their efforts.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Rules for watching matches as a family<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Cheer for fair play<\/strong> \u2013 to praise a fine piece of play, even from an opponent.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No swearing<\/strong> \u2013 Children copy adults.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Breaks<\/strong> \u2013 at half-time: water, a stretch, a quick chat about what we\u2019d enjoyed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The end = the end<\/strong> \u2013 After the race, we don\u2019t watch an hour\u2019s worth of highlights whilst we\u2019re still in a bad mood.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>What to say to a child after a defeat<\/h4>\n<p>\u201eLosing doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re bad. It just means the other team played better today. You can go and have a kick about tomorrow and enjoy yourself.\u201c Link this to taking action \u2013 not to getting angry at the news.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fifa-2026-a-deti-ako-fandit-zdravo-pohyb-omalovanka.png\" alt=\"A child plays football outside and then colours in a football colouring picture \u2013 a balance between physical activity and relaxation\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\n<h2>Famous footballers \u2013 inspiring stories for children<\/h2>\n<p>Stars on screen don\u2019t have to be just \u201eperfect heroes\u201c. Their journeys teach us <strong>hard work, perseverance and humility<\/strong> \u2013 suitable for discussions with children aged 7 and over.<\/p>\n<h3>Lionel Messi \u2013 patience and teamwork<\/h3>\n<p>As a child, the Argentine was smaller than his peers and needed treatment to grow normally. Despite this, he trained every day. He waited many years to win a title with the national team \u2013 and when it came, he celebrated with the team, not on his own. Children can learn from this: <em>Success comes gradually<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Print: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/lionel-messi-football-colouring-book\/\">Lionel Messi football colouring page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Cristiano Ronaldo \u2013 discipline and self-confidence<\/h3>\n<p>The Portuguese striker grew up on the island of Madeira in modest circumstances. He made a name for himself <strong>through hard work<\/strong> \u2013 training, recovery, consistency. It shows children that talent alone is not enough without hard work.<\/p>\n<p>Print: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/cristiano-ronaldo-footballer-realistic\/\">Cristiano Ronaldo \u2013 a realistic colouring picture<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 \u2013 a joy to watch and lightning-fast<\/h3>\n<p>The French striker got on the ball very early on. He looks at ease on the pitch and is always smiling \u2013 reminding us that football should also be <strong>entertainment<\/strong>. It also supports children in charitable projects.<\/p>\n<p>Print: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/kylian-mbappe-football-colouring-book\/\">Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 football colouring book<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>More inspiring stories<\/h3>\n<h4>Erling Haaland \u2013 routine and family<\/h4>\n<p>The Norwegian attacking forward has been training systematically since he was a child; his father used to help him with his warm-up. He teaches children that <strong>regularity<\/strong> It\u2019s power. Colouring page: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/erling-haaland-footballer\/\">Erling Haaland footballer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>Lamine Yamal \u2013 a young talent<\/h4>\n<p>The Spanish international made his debut at an age when others are still at primary school. It shows that age doesn\u2019t matter if you love the game \u2013 but also that it takes years of training to get there. Colouring page: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/lamine-yamal-footballer\/\">Lamine Yamal, footballer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>Robert Lewandowski \u2013 perseverance<\/h4>\n<p>The Polish striker overcame his doubts and built his career step by step over the years. A story for children who \u201earen\u2019t the best\u201c in their class yet. Colouring book: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/footballer-robert-lewandowski\/\">Robert Lewandowski, footballer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Why it\u2019s not enough just to watch \u2013 you have to play too<\/h2>\n<p>Watching the World Cup without getting up and about is like reading about swimming without ever putting a foot in the water. Football on TV is inspiring \u2013 <strong>the ball is out<\/strong> It develops both the body and the mind.<\/p>\n<h3>Moving around instead of just sitting<\/h3>\n<p>Kicking, dribbling and running after the ball improve coordination, fitness and self-confidence. It doesn\u2019t have to be at a club \u2013 a backyard, a park or a corridor with a foam ball will do.<\/p>\n<h3>Simple football games for children<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Goals between two stones<\/strong> \u2013 1-on-1 or 2-on-2.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accuracy<\/strong> \u2013 whoever hits the tree \/ cone from 5 metres away.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Goalkeeper<\/strong> \u2013 one defends, the others shoot (soft ball).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dribbling slalom<\/strong> \u2013 dodging balls \/ bottles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For younger children: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/boy-playing-football\/\">A boy playing football<\/a> \u2013 a colouring book that encourages them to have a go themselves.<\/p>\n<h2>After the match: a quiet moment of relaxation with a football colouring book<\/h2>\n<p>After watching TV, it\u2019s a good idea to <strong>switch to silent mode<\/strong> \u2013 Colouring in the picture is calming, encourages creativity and keeps the football theme going without any extra stress. You can find free printable colouring pages at <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/\">colouringbookspredeti.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>FIFA 2026 \u2013 Tournament Colouring Book<\/h3>\n<p>Special designs for the 2026 World Cup:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-2026-mascots\/\">FIFA 2026 mascots<\/a> \u2013 Maple, Zayu and Clutch for the little ones,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-2026-top-national-teams-and-stars\/\">Top national teams<\/a> \u2013 France, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, England,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-2026-bracket-matches\/\">Knockout stage bracket<\/a> \u2013 for older people who are following the play-offs,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/futbalovy-rozpis-zapasov-fifa-2026\/\">FIFA 2026 Fixtures<\/a> \u2013 flags and dates,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-2026-footballers-stadium\/\">FIFA 2026 \u2013 footballers in the stadium<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The whole category <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/games\/\">Games<\/a> includes other football and sports themes; filter by <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/sport\/\">Sport<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Footballers, goalkeepers and stadiums<\/h3>\n<h4>For older fans (more realistic drawings)<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-world-cup-stadium-flags\/\">FIFA World Cup \u2013 the stadium and the countries\u2019 flags<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-game-realistic-colouring\/\">FIFA game - realistic coloring book<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/jude-bellingham-football-colouring-book\/\">Jude Bellingham<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/harry-kane-football-colouring-book\/\">Harry Kane<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/vinicius-junior-football-colouring-book\/\">Vin\u00edcius Junior<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>For younger children (simpler shapes)<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/football-goalkeeper\/\">Football goalkeeper<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/minions-with-a-football\/\">Minions s futbalovou loptou<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/dinosaurs-play-football\/\">Dinosaurs are playing football<\/a> \u2013 a humorous combination of popular themes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>No print? Try <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/online-painting\/\">online painting<\/a> \u2013 ideal after an evening match, in a room with dimmed lighting.<\/p>\n<h2>Quiz: Test your child\u2019s knowledge of MS<\/h2>\n<p>After or before the match, you can liven up your afternoon <strong>a quiz for children<\/strong> \u2013 25 questions about FIFA 2026, the host countries and the mascots: <a href=\"https:\/\/rozpravkypredspanim.sk\/kviz\/fifa-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026 FIFA World Cup Quiz<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/rozpravkypredspanim.sk\/kviz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bedtime stories<\/a>. A more general football quiz: <a href=\"https:\/\/rozpravkypredspanim.sk\/kviz\/futbal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A football quiz for children<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Tip: after the quiz, let your child colour in the flag of their favourite country from <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-world-cup-stadium-flags\/\">colouring pages featuring a stadium and flags<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions from Parents<\/h2>\n<h3>Should he be on the bench for every World Cup match?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Choose 2\u20133 teams or matches with your child that you\u2019re both looking forward to \u2013 leave the rest to the adults or watch them on a recording.<\/p>\n<h3>What if a child cries when they lose?<\/h3>\n<p objavte sa povedzte rozumiete sm a pon aktivitu oma ak opakuje pri ka z mo e nie je pripraven na cel priamy prenos.>\n<\/p><h3>Is playing a FIFA video game the same as watching it?<\/h3>\n<p>No \u2013 the game is interactive, but you\u2019re still sitting in front of a screen. Alternate it with real-world movement and set time limits.<\/p>\n<h3>Are the football colouring pages free?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes \u2013 both the print version and the online colouring pages on our website are free of charge. Find out more at <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/faq\/\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a> and in <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/free-printable-colouring-pages-guide-for-children\/\">a guide for parents<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p><strong>FIFA 2026 and children<\/strong> They can go hand in hand \u2013 if you support your team sensibly: reasonable screen time for children, fair play when losing, exercise in the fresh air and peaceful relaxation with <strong>a football colouring book<\/strong>. Take inspiration from Messi, Ronaldo or Mbapp\u00e9 \u2013 not just from their goals, but also from their stories of patience and training.<\/p>\n<p>Choose from <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/fifa-2026-mascots\/\">FIFA 2026 Colouring Book<\/a>, print it out in a single click and enjoy the tournament as a family \u2013 without any unnecessary stress. More tips for spending time together: <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/articles\/holiday-activities-for-children-ideas\/\">Activities for children during the holidays<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/articles\/rainy-day-at-home-colouring-pages-instead-of-phone\/\">A rainy day with colouring pages<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>World Cup 2026 with kids \u2013 age limits, healthy cheering, star stories and football colouring pages.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":6137,"template":"","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6138","clanky","type-clanky","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/clanky\/6138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/clanky"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/clanky"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omalovankypredeti.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}