"Is It a Place for Play?" vs. "Just Let Them Be"... Heated Debate Over Watching World Cup During Class

"Is school a place for learning, or a place for play?" vs. "There is no better real-world education than watching the World Cup together."

With the South Korea vs. Mexico match in the second round of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Group A stage approaching, schools are facing a deep dilemma.

Most of the matches for this World Cup are taking place during morning school hours. As the decision to watch the games on campus is left to the discretion of individual teachers, it has led to mixed reactions across different classrooms, sparking complaints among students and parents.

Opinions are sharply divided: some argue that watching the World Cup together fosters patriotism and unity, serving as an extension of education, while others worry it could devolve into "killing time" that disrupts the learning environment.

Recently, a high school in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, became the center of controversy after students watched a World Cup match during class ahead of their final exams.

When the school principal reprimanded the teachers who allowed the students to watch the game, a student issued a public statement in protest. In the statement, the student claimed, "Our teachers set aside class time to show us the match, wanting to give us an unforgettable memory amidst the exhaustion of our studies. However, the principal treated the teachers like criminals, demanding they be 'hunted down' and criticizing them for airing the game."

As the fallout grew, the school countered, "It was not a 'witch hunt' as mentioned in the statement, but rather an attempt to calm the situation because the classrooms had become excessively noisy." The school added that "the situation has now returned to a state of stability," effectively putting the matter to rest.

An official from the North Gyeongsang Office of Education in charge of secondary education also explained, "If the decision is made through consultation among members within the scope of a normal curriculum, and if a plan is in place to guarantee the right to learn for students who do not wish to watch, then watching the World Cup can certainly be operated as an educational activity."

As the debate continues, some parents have raised their voices, asking, "What about the students who don't want to watch soccer?" and insisting, "Teachers should be faithful to their classes above all else."

Meanwhile, netizens who encountered the news have kept the heated debate alive, with comments such as, "It's a memory you can't buy with money, so just let them watch," and "We can't even go on school field trips, so why stop them from watching the World Cup too?"

Reported by Yoon Seong-sik | Video by Seo Byeong-uk | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.