The Untold History of Jewish Influence on Modern Soccer

Holocaust Museum LA has launched a new exhibition, “The Beautiful Game … The Untold Story,” exploring the largely overlooked role of Jewish innovators in shaping global soccer. The exhibit, hosted at the museum’s newly expanded Goldrich Cultural Center, highlights how Jewish coaches and players—many fleeing persecution in Europe—pioneered the tactical systems that define modern professional soccer, including the transition to the fluid 4-2-4 formation. According to museum leadership, the project aims to challenge historical stereotypes regarding Jewish participation in athletics while providing a narrative of resilience through sport.

Who was Béla Guttmann and why does he matter?

Béla Guttmann was a Hungarian-born coach whose tactical innovations fundamentally altered the rhythm of Brazilian soccer. According to historical accounts documented by researchers like Ronen Dorfan, Guttmann brought the 4-2-4 formation from Budapest to São Paulo in 1957. This system emphasized lateral movement and creative improvisation over the rigid 2-3-5 formations common in the era. When Guttmann’s successor, Vicente Feola, took charge of the Brazilian national team, he implemented these tactics, leading Brazil to its first World Cup victory in 1958. Guttmann’s career spanned 42 years across 14 countries, a nomadic professional life necessitated by the trauma of surviving the Holocaust, where he lost multiple family members to Nazi death camps.

How did the Holocaust shape global soccer tactics?

The rise of antisemitism and fascism in Europe during the 1930s forced a mass migration of Jewish intellectuals, artists, and athletes, many of whom were central to the soccer scenes in Austria and Hungary. Historians note that before World War II, the most sophisticated tactical development occurred in Central Europe under Jewish figures like Hugo Meisl, Arpad Weisz, and Marton Bukovi. As the Nazi regime expanded, these coaches fled to South America and across Europe, effectively exporting their tactical blueprints to clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Benfica. This forced diaspora accelerated the modernization of the sport, as these coaches introduced refined passing techniques and strategic discipline to teams that had previously relied on more physical, rudimentary play styles.

What is the focus of the Holocaust Museum LA exhibit?

The exhibition is organized into three chronological sections: the era preceding World War II, the period of the Holocaust, and the postwar years. Curators Jordanna Gessler and Allon Sander designed the show to dismantle the stereotype that Jewish history in the early 20th century was limited to intellectual or labor-based pursuits, excluding sports. The exhibit features over 100 artifacts, including uniforms, trophies, and personal items, many of which were hidden during the war to prevent their destruction. A notable inclusion is the flag of a soccer team from the Theresienstadt concentration camp, illustrating how the sport served as a vital source of morale and humanity during the Holocaust.

Key Historical Figures in Jewish Soccer

What is the future of this historical narrative?

The museum’s initiative, funded by a $1 million fundraising effort led by former U.S. Soccer Federation president Alan Rothenberg, coincides with the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup hosted by North America. Museum CEO Beth Kean stated that the exhibit serves as a bridge for younger generations, using the global popularity of soccer to facilitate conversations about antisemitism and historical erasure. By highlighting the stories of survivors who maintained their passion for the game through the war, the museum aims to frame soccer as a persistent, unifying cultural force that transcends its role as mere entertainment.