FIFA President Gianni Infantino asserts that soccer should rise to become the number one sport in the United States, stating, “Let’s go for it.” Next summer, the United States will take a significant step toward that goal by co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across 11 cities nationwide.
The popularity of soccer has surged in the U.S. over recent years, and Infantino believes that the upcoming World Cup will further accelerate this growth. He emphasizes the potential of the U.S. to excel in the sport, noting, “You are the United States of America, the greatest country in the world. You cannot be satisfied with being No. 20 in the No. 1 sport in the world; you want to be No. 1, so let’s go for it.”
When asked how the U.S. can achieve this ambition, he humorously suggested, “They should listen to me! They’d become No. 1 in the world.”
Infantino also highlighted the potential for increased investment in soccer, pointing out the vast audience that the World Cup attracts. “The impact will be global,” he stated. “The Super Bowl has about 120-130 million viewers, while the World Cup draws six billion. A World Cup is equivalent to 104 Super Bowls in one month. This can happen here every week if the U.S. has the best league in the world.”
In the lead-up to the tournament, Infantino expressed optimism about the strides made by U.S. Soccer’s governing bodies in developing the sport domestically. He praised the efforts of Major League Soccer (MLS) and youth academies, stating, “The work that has been done with MLS in the United States and Canada has been really impressive. You have a good team, good players, and a great coach like Mauricio Pochettino. These players are now competing for some of the best teams in Europe, showcasing their talent to the world.”
He concluded, “Combine this with the fact that a World Cup is going to be played at home, well, that’s a pretty explosive combination, isn’t it?”
FOX Sports will serve as the official English-language broadcaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ensuring that fans across the country can engage with this monumental event.
