A new survey has highlighted the growing appeal of soccer across the United States following the 2026 World Cup. Respondents revealed their desire to own Lionel Messi’s Argentina jersey, their preference for watching soccer over the NFL, and even their hopes to travel to Europe to enjoy the Premier League.
Survey Findings
The 2026 World Cup, played out across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was the biggest ever in soccer history. Forty-eight nations battled it out across North America, with 104 games played across a hectic 39-day period. Spain was eventually crowned world champions for the second time in 16 years.
Just over 25% of survey respondents revealed that the World Cup led them to watch soccer for the first time. More than half revealed that they’d now be more likely to follow an MLS team after the tournament. Many also said they would watch a game of soccer over traditional American sports, like the NFL (39%), the MLB (36%), and college football (49%).
Impact on Soccer in the US
The World Cup gave soccer a platform in front of a new generation of potential fans in the United States for the first time, and it’s evident that it went down a hit. FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised the tournament’s impact on America by saying, “soccer conquered America and America has become now a soccer country.”
More American men (33%) admitted to watching soccer for the first time at the 2026 World Cup than women (19%). Male millennials (30-45) were the generation to engage the most with the sport for the first time, with over a third (34%) of respondents beginning their soccer-watching journey this summer.
The MLS has surged in popularity since 2026 World Cup finalist Lionel Messi arrived in Miami, and it appears that the World Cup could supercharge attendances across the United States. More than half (52%) of survey respondents revealed that they would be more likely to follow an MLS team following the success of the World Cup.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
