Back in the 1994 World Cup, when it first took place in the United States, the idea of soccer felt, well, distant. Fans had to really seek it out, and honestly, many weren’t even aware it was happening.
At that time, soccer was somewhat of an afterthought, overshadowed by the likes of the NFL, NBA, and MLB, plus whatever was going on with Michael Jordan. Major League Soccer wasn’t even on the map. The World Cup felt like an event that just happened to roll through, like a traveling circus.
Fast forward to now, and legendary broadcaster Andrés Cantor believes the upcoming 2026 World Cup represents something entirely different—something more permanent. “I think everyone in the country knows the World Cup is coming, and that’s a huge change from back in 1994,” Cantor shared in a recent exclusive interview.
Few understand the journey of soccer in the U.S. quite like Cantor does. His voice isn’t just a commentary; it’s basically the soundtrack to the sport’s growth here.
For 40 years, his iconic “¡Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” has resonated across various settings—from homes to restaurants and crowded stadiums. The 1994 tournament marked a pivotal moment for Spanish-language broadcasters, dragging them into the spotlight of mainstream culture. His enthusiastic calls even made their way into late-night shows and commercials.
However, Cantor thinks the 2026 World Cup will be a bit more understated compared to 1994. Sure, it’ll be visible, but the landscape has transformed. Now, television networks don’t hold all the cards.
Fans are now the broadcasters. “In 1994, it boiled down to the networks I worked for or ABC—those were the primary avenues for fans to learn about the World Cup, aside from newspapers and radio. But now, everyone has a voice: watch parties, social media, fan zones…you name it,” he stated. The fans themselves will help elevate the event.
A teenager scrolling on TikTok in Kansas might not sit down for the whole game, but they’ll definitely catch highlights—Kylian Mbappé’s insane bicycle kick or Christian Pulisic’s congratulatory messages—flooding their feeds. Today’s kids don’t need a crash course in superstar players; they’re already plugged in.
Cantor believes that’s the most notable difference from 1994.
Back then, the U.S. men’s national team was largely unknown, with a roster filled with semi-pro players. Today, American soccer stars are competing at high levels in Europe. Kids are sporting Pulisic’s jersey proudly and tuning in to watch Erling Haaland’s performances weekly. They even discuss transfer rumors like sports enthusiasts of old would follow baseball stats.
“In ’94, there wasn’t much to look up to,” Cantor noted. “These days, kids can watch their idols in action every week. If all goes well, maybe by the end of this World Cup, those players will have the same status as LeBron James.”
Most importantly, these kids engaged with soccer during the World Cup are likely to stick with it throughout their lives. Youngsters often start playing in leagues like AYSO but often shift to sports like baseball or football by high school. The growth of MLS has solidified soccer in the American landscape, especially with top players now appearing locally. Think Lionel Messi in Miami or James Rodriguez in Minnesota.
Currently, the U.S. has 30 MLS clubs, complete with academies, readily available to a generation of fans raised on Premier League and Champions League at their fingertips.
Cantor, who has witnessed it all, hails from Argentina—a country where soccer reigns supreme. He recalls growing up in an environment where soccer was that’s important, but accessing it on TV wasn’t easy. Instead, he and his peers created makeshift soccer balls from newspapers stuffed into socks.
“To me, it was like the World Cup final every time,” he laughed. “Those sounds, that music were imprinted in my memory.”
Originally aspiring to be a print journalist, Cantor found his voice after moving to Southern California. At San Marino High School, he played soccer and edited the school paper, even chronicling his own championship goal.
His unexpected audition at Univision was a game-changer. Initially brought on for color commentary, he quickly transitioned to play-by-play. His long goal call was inspired by his idol, Argentine radio legend José María Muñoz.
When he nailed that call, his bosses took notice right away. “My call definitely caught their attention,” he recounted. He became Univision’s sole play-by-play announcer for over a decade.
Years later, Cantor emerged as one of the defining voices of soccer in America. His coverage of the 1994 World Cup paved the way for his journey in sports broadcasting, culminating in the emotional 2022 victory of Messi and Argentina in Qatar.
“We’ve waited 36 years for this moment,” he said, reflecting on the joy of that victory, adding, “It was a whirlwind of emotions.” With excitement building for the next tournament, he looks forward to possibly crying tears of joy once again.
As he gears up for his twelfth consecutive World Cup, Cantor feels that the game he’s been championing in the U.S. is finally taking root. He’s optimistic about the U.S. team’s potential this time around, thinking they have a real shot at the quarterfinals and beyond.
“You have to enter these tournaments believing you can win,” Cantor emphasized. “Setting goals just for the quarterfinals isn’t enough. Aim high.”
If everything aligns, we might even see a face-off between Argentina and the U.S. in the quarterfinals. It could be a spectacle that we all remember, with the world watching and America cheering.
