As the yeshiva world sits in the middle of its intensive pre-summer study period known as "sof zman," tensions in the Haredi street ran high over the World Cup, which reached its climax Sunday night with the final between Spain and Argentina. A special survey conducted by Kikar HaShabbat, with 871 respondents from across the Haredi community, offers a revealing and complicated snapshot of how the ultra-Orthodox public actually relates to soccer, how much interest there really is, and the values debate the phenomenon has stirred.
Who Took the Survey
Respondents spanned the full range of Haredi society. About 46 percent identified as yeshiva students, 26 percent as working professionals, 19 percent as married kollel students, 7 percent as seminary students, and 2 percent as kollel wives. By religious affiliation, 39 percent identified as Litvish, 30 percent as Sephardi, 20 percent as Hasidic, and 11 percent as belonging to other streams.
A Sense That the Trend Is Growing
One of the survey's central findings is a widespread perception that soccer viewership within the Haredi community has been expanding. About 77 percent of respondents said the number of Haredi soccer viewers has grown in recent years, with roughly half saying it has grown significantly. Only about 8 percent said nothing has changed, and just over 1 percent said viewership has declined.
Ahead of the Spain-Argentina final, 41 percent of respondents said they planned to watch, 23 percent said they would neither watch nor follow the result, and 22 percent said they would follow the score without watching. About 57 percent said they wanted Argentina to win, compared to only about 4 percent rooting for Spain. On the question of favorite player, roughly 60 percent named Lionel Messi, while 31 percent responded honestly that they had no idea who any of the players were.
Who's Watching, and Where
About 32 percent of respondents said they watch World Cup matches, with another 4 percent saying they had watched by chance while with friends. Roughly 34 percent said they don't watch at all because it doesn't interest them, while about 24 percent said they don't watch but do follow the results. Among those who do watch, most do so at home, while smaller shares watch on their phones, at friends' or family members' homes, or in public spaces like cafes, restaurants, or kiosks.
Kiosk Viewing: "Desecration of God's Name" or "They Have No Choice"?
The issue of public viewing, particularly in kiosks and on the streets of Haredi cities, drew sharp criticism from most respondents. About 43 percent described the phenomenon of young men watching games at kiosks as a desecration of God's name, 22 percent called it the opposite of the path of a proper Torah scholar, and 8 percent called it a harmful phenomenon that must be stamped out. On the other side, 14 percent showed more understanding, saying these young men have no other option for where to watch, and 5 percent said they saw no problem with it at all.
Does It Conflict With the Haredi Lifestyle?
Asked how much watching soccer conflicts with a Haredi way of life, about 29 percent strongly identified with the view that it is inappropriate and even a desecration of God's name, and 35 percent identified with that view to some degree, while 26 percent disagreed and saw no problem with it.
What Happens if the Yeshiva Finds Out?
Asked how their yeshiva would likely respond if they were caught watching, 44 percent said the rabbis simply wouldn't approve but nothing more would happen, 22 percent said there was a real chance they'd be expelled, 15 percent said no one would react at all, and 12 percent said all their friends watch too.
Does the Timing During "Sof Zman" Matter?
On whether the tournament's timing during the yeshiva world's intensive study period is boosting interest, 41 percent said there was a direct connection, arguing interest would be lower if the tournament fell in the middle of the regular study term. Nearly 45 percent said there was no connection at all, saying those who care about soccer follow it regardless of the calendar, while 14 percent said young men shouldn't be interested in soccer even during sof zman.
