Why football feels so intense during World Cup moments
With the FIFA World Cup captivating millions worldwide, a CQUniversity neuroscientist has revealed why a single goal in football can spark dramatic emotional highs and lows, and it all comes down to powerful brain and body chemistry.
Dr Ragnar Purje, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at CQUniversity, says the dramatic emotional and psychological swings associated with the world’s most popular sport is all part of the universal human condition.
“When a goal is scored, the brain releases dopamine – the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter – creating immediate feelings of joy and euphoria,” Dr Purje said.
“But for the opposing team and their supporters, that same moment can trigger an immediate and powerful stress response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.”
In a recent article for Psychology Today, Dr Purje explained that this rapid shift between elation and despair is what makes football such a compelling global phenomenon.
“From the first whistle, both players and fans experience anticipation and hope, but everything hinges on key moments – with the most important being – scoring a goal,” he said.
“These moments create intense emotional reactions that aren’t just psychological –they’re also physiological.”
According to Dr Purje, the brain and body process the stress of the Socceroos conceding a goal in much the same way it responds to real-life stress.
The amygdala – the brain’s emotional centre – signals the hypothalamus, which activates the body’s acute stress response system, increasing heart rate, breathing, and alertness.
“These responses prepare the body to react quickly, even though the ‘threat’ is simply part of a sporting contest,” Dr Purje said.
He said the emotional intensity is shared not only by athletes on the field, but also by spectators watching from the stands or at home.
“Fans are not just passive observers – they’re emotionally, psychologically and biologically engaged in the game,” he said.
“This is why people often say they feel like they’re ‘on the rollercoaster’ of a match.”
Despite the dramatic highs and lows, the brain and body eventually work to restore balance.
After the match, calming neurotransmitters such as Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) help regulate the stress response and allow rational thinking to return.
Dr Purje said this cycle of anticipation, excitement, stress and recovery plays a healthy key role in football’s universal appeal.
“It’s a powerful emotional experience that reflects the wider universal human condition – hope, joy, disappointment, and resilience,” he said.
With the FIFA World Cup amplifying these moments on a global stage, Dr Purje said it’s no surprise football continues to captivate audiences across cultures and generations.
“Every match, every goal, taps into the same shared emotional responses – which is what makes the game so compelling for billions of people around the world.”
