Looking back at the history of 19th century Europe, colonization and global expansion created a sense of competition among European nations. This sparked global rivalries over territories and was a catalyst for the era of nationalism in Europe. Competition between countries at risk of manifest destiny was the main catalyst for the rise of nationalism. Not surprisingly, nationalism and the competitive nature of 19th century expansionism created a platform for rivalry and competition in modern sports (Bottenburg). Global rivalries in sports take place at major events such as the World Cup and the Olympics. These events bring together die-hard and casual fans in a global celebration of sporting and national pride. The Football World Cup is a great starting point for analyzing the impact modern sports have on nationalism and national identity. Every four years 32 teams from around the world come together to celebrate the world's most popular game, in the hope that their country will win the world's most coveted trophy. Nationalism in this tournament comes in a series of positivity and negativity. The atmosphere, the colors, the flags, the cheering of the fans and the singing of the songs show the role of symbolism. On the other hand, hooliganism and violence among fans show us the negative aspect of linking such strong nationalistic ties to a