How The 2026 World Cup Forever Changed Soccer In The U.S.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: General view inside the stadium as fans watch on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Matt McNulty – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

FIFA via Getty Images

How will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be remembered? More importantly, what will be its impact on the United States?

Unforgettable matches, packed stadiums and widespread celebration will certainly be remembered for years to come. The tournament will also help shape the future of soccer in a country where the sport still lags behind football and basketball.

The World Cup certainly accelerated soccer’s place in the American sporting landscape. For decades, soccer has steadily expanded its footprint in the United States. Participation among children has remained strong, Major League Soccer has grown in popularity and the sport has benefited from an increasingly diverse fan base.

But this World Cup provided something no domestic league or international friendly could replicate: Five weeks of matches that placed soccer at the center of the American sports conversation.

Millions of fans packed stadiums across North America, while millions more watched on TV. The tournament exposed casual fans to the excitement, drama and emotion that has made soccer the world’s most popular sport. For many Americans, it was their first chance to experience that atmosphere firsthand. Despite exorbitant ticket prices dominating the buildup to the 104-game tournament, this World Cup experienced sellout crowds across its 16 venues. On TV, NFL-style ratings, on both Fox and Spanish-language Telemundo, were proof fans were tuning in.

Will MLS Benefit?

While the U.S. failed to go past the round of 16, pro soccer stands to benefit. MLS entered the World Cup on a trajectory of consistent growth, but the tournament has the potential to significantly elevate the league’s visibility. Fans who discovered a deeper appreciation for the sport during the World Cup now have a domestic competition to follow throughout the year.

“At a defining moment for soccer in North America, MLS is turning global excitement into lasting engagement and connection,” said Camilo Durana, who serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at MLS. “As the World Cup inspires new fans, our clubs and communities are ready to welcome them as the season resumes and the next chapter of their soccer journey begins with MLS.”

In an effort to capitalize on this surge in interest, Major League Soccer has launched its largest-ever marketing campaign called, “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here,” featuring MLS stars past and present, including Lionel Messi and David Beckham.

In an interview with the Financial Times, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, “[The U.S.] is the golden market for soccer globally” and that FIFA saw “massive, unprecedented attendances, unprecedented revenues” at this World Cup.

The ripple effects of this tournament extends beyond MLS. The National Women’s Soccer League also benefits from growing interest in the sport, while lower-division leagues may experience greater support as communities embrace local clubs. A stronger soccer culture at every level creates a healthier ecosystem capable of sustaining long-term growth.

The World Cup also highlighted the importance of infrastructure. Cities invested heavily in transportation, stadium upgrades and fan experiences to accommodate visitors from around the globe. While much of that work was designed for the tournament itself, many improvements will continue serving communities long after the final match.

World Cup’s Long-Term Cultural Impact

Equally important was the tournament’s cultural impact. Soccer has long united communities across different languages, backgrounds and generations. Throughout the World Cup, that spirit was visible everywhere across North America — from crowded public viewing events to neighborhood celebrations.

The tournament also showcased America’s diversity through the sport. Fans wearing jerseys representing the tournament’s 48 nations gathered together, celebrating both their heritage and a shared love of the game. In a country where many communities already embrace soccer as part of their cultural identity, the World Cup brought those traditions into the public spotlight.

Any lasting success will depend on what happens next. The excitement surrounding the World Cup will eventually fade, and maintaining enthusiasm requires continued investment. Affordable youth programs and strong coaching remain essential if soccer is to capitalize on the surge of interest.

There is still ample reason for optimism. Previous World Cups have helped expand the sport in emerging markets, and the United States entered this tournament with a far stronger soccer foundation than ever before after having played host in 1994. The infrastructure, fan base and pro leagues already exist. The World Cup simply amplified them on an unprecedented scale.

The World Cup’s true legacy, however, may not be found in attendance records, TV ratings or economic impact reports. Instead, it will be measured years from now by the children who signed up for their first soccer team after watching the tournament, by communities that built new fields and by the clubs that expanded youth academies in order to develop future stars needed to someday compete for a World Cup.

“The World Cup helps so all kinds of American kids can enjoy soccer and want to start kicking a ball,” said former France star Antoine Griezmann, who recently joined MLS after signing with Orlando City SC. “Hopefully, we can put on a show in the stadiums to make kids want to play soccer.”

Clemente Lisi is the author of “The World Cup: A History of the Planet’s Biggest Sporting Event, 2026 Edition.”