The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been full of surprises. Like many neutral fans, I found myself cheering for one of the tournament's biggest underdogs: Cape Verde. Every match felt like another chapter in a football fairytale.

Watching the World Cup also reminded me of something interesting about English.

Most learners know the word cheer, but many don't realise just how many different ways we use it. Depending on the situation, cheer can mean supporting a team, encouraging someone, making someone feel happier, or even raising a glass!

Let's take a look.

1. Cheer for – Support a Team

This is probably the meaning most people know. If you cheer for a team or player, they're your favourite. You want them to win.

• I've always cheered for England.
• This year, I found myself cheering for Cape Verde.

You don't even have to be making any noise. You can be quietly watching at home and still be cheering for a team.

2. Cheer Someone On – Encourage Them

Now imagine Cape Verde scores a goal. The fans jump to their feet. They're shouting, clapping and singing. They're cheering the team on.

This isn't just about football. You can cheer someone on during a marathon, a school concert, a speech or even a driving test.

• Thousands of fans cheered the runners on.
• Parents cheered their children on at sports day.

Think of cheer on as giving someone energy while they're doing something difficult.

3. Cheer Someone Up – Make Them Feel Better

Unfortunately, every World Cup story has an ending. When Cape Verde were finally knocked out, the players looked devastated. After a disappointment like that, teammates try to cheer each other up.

This meaning has nothing to do with sport. If a friend has had a bad day, failed an exam or broken up with someone, you might try to cheer them up.

• I bought my friend dinner to cheer her up.
• Watching a funny film always cheers me up.

4. "Cheers!"

Finally, there's one more meaning. When English speakers say "Cheers!", they're not talking about football at all. It can be a toast before taking a drink.

• "Cheers!"

But in Britain, it can also simply mean "Thanks." Someone holds the door open?

• "Cheers."

A colleague passes you a pen?

• "Cheers."

It's one of the most common informal expressions in British English.

So... Which "Cheer" Do You Need?

The next time you hear the word, ask yourself which meaning fits.

• Cheer for = support a team or player.
• Cheer on = encourage someone while they're doing something.
• Cheer up = make someone feel happier.
• Cheers! = a toast... or, in Britain, an informal way to say "Thanks."

One little word—but four very different situations. And thanks to this unforgettable World Cup, I suspect I'll always remember cheering for Cape Verde.