2026 World Cup Sparks Interest in Soccer Across America
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The 1994 World Cup was a significant turning point for soccer in the U.S., but many believe the upcoming 2026 World Cup could ignite a deeper passion for the sport.
Weston McKennie, a midfielder from Little Elm, Texas, recalls a time when many viewed soccer, or football as it’s known elsewhere, as uninteresting. There were complaints about it being low-scoring and hard to appreciate. Yet, from McKennie to head coach Mauricio Pochettino, there’s a renewed hope that the landscape of soccer is poised for change.
The USA’s 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium marked an impressive beginning for the tournament. And it was a moment to pay attention to.
“That’s just incredible. It’s what we’ve been anticipating.” McKennie shared. “When you consider America, the passion and emotion were palpable. People are coming to understand that soccer is growing here.” He thinks other sports should take note of this shift.
Even with worries over ticket prices and potential protests ahead of the event, the stadium was filled to capacity, buzzing with excitement. Among the audience were celebrities like Tom Cruise and Halle Berry. Yet, more impressively, the game attracted 25 million viewers nationwide, making it the most-watched U.S. men’s telecast ever.
Soccer’s popularity appears to be on the rise. The bigger question, though, is whether this can be a pivotal moment for the sport.
“People are coming out because it’s the World Cup in America,” McKennie noted. “We’re okay with that. Even if some fans aren’t here specifically for us, it would be nice if they connected with our game. We want them to see what we’re about and experience the joy of our play.”
He added, “For all those who claim that soccer is boring, there were five goals scored today. Hopefully, that changes some minds. You could feel the energy in the stadium, fueled by passionate fans who’ve supported us over the years.”
The atmosphere at the game served as a compelling advertisement for soccer, paralleling the electrifying play on the field, which set a record for the highest-scoring match in U.S. World Cup history.
Brooklyn-native Folarin Balogun made history too, becoming the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup since 1930. The midfield was dominated by McKennie’s agility, combined with Tyler Adams’ work ethic and Malik Tillman’s creativity. Christian Pulisic was, without a doubt, the standout player.
Such performances are raising hopes and awareness around the sport.
“I think everyone has their own expectations of our team,” fullback Sergiño Dest commented. “The atmosphere was electric, and I hope every match feels like this. We really need the support from our fans.”
Last Friday’s match attracted 15.986 million viewers on Fox Sports and an additional 8.9 million on Telemundo. It also became the most-streamed men’s game in English in the U.S., averaging 1.13 million viewers on Tubi.
For many, this was their first experience watching America play. Could this captivating performance turn them into fans or future players?
“This is a life-changing tournament, especially playing on home soil,” reflected Tony Meola, captain of the USA’s 1994 World Cup team. “People who might not know Christian Pulisic now will, and one day, someone might say, ‘You changed my life; I fell in love with soccer because of this.’ That’s the magic of events like these.”
If Meola’s 1994 team helped introduce soccer to the nation, this current team might be on the brink of helping Americans truly fall in love with the game.
