Lovers scoring during World Cup

Now, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its final stage this weekend, whispers are growing in Jamaica that some people may be using football fever as the perfect cover for stepping outside their relationships.

THE WEEKEND STAR hit the streets to investigate whether the world’s biggest football tournament is also creating a playground for secret rendezvous. A visit to several guest houses across the Corporate Area revealed increased activity, particularly during daytime hours when many football fans would normally be expected to be focused on matches, discussions and predictions.

At one guest house, a staff member said that business has picked up significantly since the tournament began. While she could not confirm that the increase was directly linked to football, she admitted that the timing was noticeable.

“Guests don’t usually like the rooms that are close to the receptionist or close to where the vehicles park because they always complain that it is not private enough and people can hear their business. Now those rooms are filled,” the staffer said.

She said that a couple recently sat in their car and waited for more than an hour just to get a room.

“Dem tings deh don’t normally happen, but a dat a gwaan pon what a gwaan now,” she said.

Another employee at a Corporate Area location said the business has been unusually steady in recent weeks. The worker explained that while there are usually predictable busy periods — such as weekends, paydays and after major parties — the current demand has been different.

“I don’t know if World Cup has anything to do with it, but more people inna heat,” an employee said.

Relationship researchers have previously examined how major sporting events can influence behaviour. Studies on sports fandom have found that major tournaments can temporarily change household routines, with partners spending more time apart, staying up late, travelling to watch games or becoming heavily invested in social activities outside the relationship.

Researchers have also examined the phenomenon known as “social opportunity” — where changes in routine, increased social gatherings and reduced monitoring from partners can create circumstances where some individuals may engage in risky behaviour.

During previous World Cups, relationship counsellors in countries including the United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia have reported increased discussions about partners feeling neglected during tournaments.

However, experts caution that football itself does not cause cheating. Instead, they argue that existing relationship problems, opportunity and personal choices are usually the bigger factors.

One woman who described herself as a serial cheater told THE WEEKEND STAR that the tournament has made her secret meetings easier. She said her relationship with another man has been ongoing for two years and believes football has reduced suspicion. She said the football season has changed the situation.

“Now my man don’t even call when mi late, because him invested inna football. Him side drop out long time, but him spend time a chat with him friend dem about who a guh drop out and a bag a tings.”

Concerns about sport and relationships are not unique to Jamaica. Researchers studying major events have also examined how anonymity, travel, alcohol consumption and large gatherings can contribute to changes in social behaviour.

Academic researcher and social commentator Dr Paul Bourne believes the World Cup is not responsible for increased infidelity but may simply expose existing issues.

“I think there is a moral decay, and we see this even on social media every day,” he said. “It’s not that people are cheating more, and you are seeing people for who they are now, unlike 10 years ago.”

Bourne said changing attitudes towards privacy and social norms have contributed to what he described as a breakdown in values. He believes wider societal changes, including leadership failures in communities, churches and institutions, are influencing behaviour.

“There is just a decay everywhere and nobody cares anymore.”