World Cup excitement has officially reached outer space after NASA astronaut Jessica Meir wowed fans with an impressive football trick aboard the International Space Station (ISS) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Swedish-American astronaut and marine biologist demonstrated a stunning bicycle kick in microgravity during an educational segment for NASA, blending science with football in a way that quickly caught attention online.
Currently stationed aboard the ISS, Meir used the demonstration to explain how the spherical design of a football helps it travel smoothly through the air. Floating inside the space station, she showcased the movement of the ball in zero gravity before pulling off the acrobatic overhead kick.
The video quickly gained traction among football fans and space enthusiasts, with many praising both the creativity of the lesson and Meir’s athletic ability in space conditions.
One user commented, “I always wondered how spin works in space without air resistance getting in the way.”
Another wrote, “It’s amazing to see NASA connecting science with football like this. The explanation about the ball’s flight and aerodynamics was fascinating.”
The moment comes as anticipation builds worldwide for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
NASA has increasingly used creative educational content from astronauts aboard the ISS to engage younger audiences with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and Meir’s football demonstration has become the latest viral example of that effort.