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The Guardian Science

Ever thought your football team might be under a curse like Ted Lasso’s? Here’s how to lift it | Helen Pilcher

The article discusses how sports teams often face perceived curses, such as Mayo's Gaelic football team, which overcame a 75-year losing streak after winning the All-Ireland title in 2026, breaking a curse linked to a priest's 1951 declaration. Similarly, Birmingham City and other teams have faced long-standing folklore about hexes affecting their performance. The piece suggests that while these curses may lack supernatural basis, they can influence team morale and become deeply embedded in sports culture. The recent successes of teams like Mayo indicate that such curses may lose their grip when broken by actual achievements.

What happened

A football team's long-standing curse, believed to have haunted them for decades, was finally broken after they won a major title.

Why it matters

Belief in curses can shape team culture and fan morale, showing how stories and traditions influence real-world outcomes in sports.

Why it belongs here

This story highlights the power of narrative in sports, offering a thoughtful look at how people find meaning in success and failure.

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