The World Cup has the potential to mint more soccer fans among kids, with many young players already showing interest in the sport. In Lenexa, Kansas, toddlers are participating in World Cup-themed events, and their parents are considering enrolling them in soccer programs as young as 2 years old.

Growing Interest in Soccer

Experts believe that the World Cup will give a boost to youth soccer, with many kids already playing the sport. According to a report from the Aspen Institute, 7.5% of 6- to 12-year-olds played youth soccer in 2024, making it one of the most popular youth sports in the country.

The women’s game has also fueled soccer’s rise, with girls who play as kids becoming fans and helping to keep youth leagues large and financially viable. The Kansas City Current, a women’s soccer team, is an example of this, with its owners including Brittany Mahomes, a former college soccer player and the wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the growing interest in soccer, there are challenges to overcome, including the fact that many of the best players compete in European leagues, and hardcore American fans often follow those teams rather than MLS ones. However, American players are increasingly breaking into these top European leagues, and the sport’s youthful fan base in the US is one that marketers are eager to woo.

Michael Lewis, an Emory University professor, is hopeful about the future of soccer in the US, saying that the sport is building generation after generation, and that the World Cup will help to increase interest and participation.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.