Every four years, the world comes together for one of the greatest sporting events on earth.
Restaurants fill with fans wearing jerseys from every corner of the globe. Flags wave proudly from balconies and car windows. Complete strangers become instant teammates, united by hope, pride, and ninety minutes of football.

And somewhere in almost every conversation, someone eventually asks:

"So... who are you cheering for?"

It's a simple question.
For most people.
For me, it's one that has never had a simple answer.

I was born in England. I'm a Canadian citizen. I now live in the United States as a permanent resident, and for ten incredible years I called Japan home. Along the way, I've also had the privilege of living in and experiencing countries that may never have a team on the World Cup stage, yet have left an equally lasting imprint on my life.

So when England plays, I can't help but think of where my story began.
When Canada steps onto the field, I feel grateful for the country that became part of my identity.

When the United States competes, I feel connected to the chapter I'm living today.
And when I see Japan's flag, I'm instantly transported back to cherry blossom season, lifelong friendships, and ten years that changed me in ways I never expected.

People often assume I must eventually choose one.
But after nearly three decades of living internationally, I've realized something. Life isn't asking me to choose. It's inviting me to appreciate every place that has shaped me.

Living abroad changes you in ways that are difficult to explain until you've experienced it yourself. You don't simply learn new customs or find a favorite neighborhood café. You begin seeing the world through different lenses. You discover that there are countless ways to celebrate, communicate, solve problems, build community, and define success.

Every move asks you to become a beginner again.
Every country teaches you humility.
Every goodbye stretches your heart.
Every new beginning reveals strengths you didn't know you had.
Looking back, I once thought I was collecting countries.

Now I realize I was collecting versions of myself.
England gave me my roots.
Canada expanded my identity.
Japan taught me patience, respect, and the beauty of embracing another culture with an open heart.
The United States has become the place where I've continued to grow—as a coach, an entrepreneur, and a woman entering a new season of life.

And then there are the countries that don't appear in the World Cup. Places like India, Singapore, Taiwan, and others that have enriched my journey through friendships, culture, and unforgettable experiences. They may not have a team for me to cheer on, but they will always have a place in my heart.

Perhaps that's why the World Cup stirs something much deeper than football for me.
It reminds me that belonging isn't always tied to a passport.
Sometimes belonging is built through experiences.
Through relationships.
Through the courage to leave what is familiar and discover something new.
Ironically, while the World Cup celebrates competition between nations, it reminds me of how connected we really are. Whether you're watching a match in London, Vancouver, Tokyo, New York, Mumbai, or Singapore, people gather with the same anticipation, the same excitement, and the same hope.

Different flags.
Different languages.
The same human spirit.

Today, I have the privilege of coaching women around the world who are navigating transitions of their own. Some are moving across countries. Others are reinventing themselves after raising families, changing careers, or stepping into a new chapter they never expected.

And I've learned that no matter where we live, we're often searching for the very same thing.

A place where we feel we belong.
Perhaps that's why this question means so much to me.
Because after nearly thirty years of living around the world, I've discovered that home isn't a single place on a map. Home is every place that has welcomed you Every person who has changed you. Every experience that has made you a little wiser, a little more compassionate, and a little more yourself.

So this World Cup, if someone asks me who I'm cheering for, I'll probably smile before I answer.

Not because I can't decide.
But because I no longer believe I have to.

I'll be cheering for every chapter that has become part of my story.
Because in the end, I haven't just collected countries.
I've collected a life.

I'd love to hear your story. Has living, working, or traveling abroad changed your definition of "home"?

Munisha, The Holistic Expat