PERSPECTIVE
Free ESL Conversation Resource · The World Cup

World Cup ESL Discussion Questions

15 conversation questions about football, national identity, hosting costs, global unity and what the World Cup means beyond the score.
A1–A2 BeginnerB1–B2 IntermediateC1–C2 Advanced

Use these World Cup ESL discussion questions for pair work, small-group speaking or whole-class conversation. Choose the level that fits your learners, or move through all three sections as the questions become more challenging.

A

Beginner · A1–A2

Start the conversation

  1. 01

    Do you enjoy big sporting events? Why or why not?

  2. 02

    Has a match ever brought your family or your country together?

  3. 03

    Why do people feel so strongly about their national team?

  4. 04

    Is it worth billions of dollars to host the World Cup?

  5. 05

    Does the World Cup bring the world together, or divide it?

Ready for the full lesson?Explore the A1–A2 World Cup lesson →
B

Intermediate · B1–B2

Explore the issue

  1. 01

    Do you enjoy watching the World Cup or big sporting events? Why or why not?

  2. 02

    Has a sporting event ever brought your country or family together?

  3. 03

    Why do people feel such strong emotions about their national team?

  4. 04

    Is spending billions to host the World Cup worth it? Why or why not?

  5. 05

    Does the World Cup still bring the world together, or divide it?

Take the topic further.Explore the B1–B2 World Cup lesson →

Can a game that unites billions ever be just a game?

One topic. Three levels. Countless perspectives.
C

Advanced · C1–C2

Challenge the idea

  1. 01

    Would you want your country to host the World Cup? What would worry you?

  2. 02

    Can one tournament really change how a country is seen abroad?

  3. 03

    Why might sportswashing criticism fall harder on some hosts than others?

  4. 04

    Should players use the tournament to make political statements?

  5. 05

    If a tournament leaves stadiums empty but a nation proud, was it worth it?

Push the discussion further.Explore the C1–C2 World Cup lesson →
Perspective English · Complete lessons

Turn the discussion into a full lesson.

Continue with the complete World Cup lesson at the level your class needs. Perspective lessons combine reading, vocabulary, discussion and deeper speaking tasks around one conversation-worthy topic.

A1–A2

Accessible language and clear questions for beginner and elementary learners.

View beginner lesson →B1–B2

Develop the issue with richer vocabulary, reading and discussion.

View intermediate lesson →C1–C2

Explore hosting, identity, politics and the tournament’s wider impact in greater depth.

View advanced lesson →