The World Cup Didn’t Make America Love Soccer. It Made Soccer More American
Summary
The 2026 World Cup in the United States attracted many casual viewers, with 44 percent of registered voters watching at least some matches. FIFA added a halftime show similar to the Super Bowl to make the event more appealing to American audiences, showing how the World Cup is adapting to U.S. sports culture. However, soccer remains less popular than football for most Americans outside the tournament.Key Facts
- 44 percent of registered U.S. voters watched some World Cup matches in 2026.
- Before the World Cup, about 40 percent of U.S. adults planned to watch the tournament.
- The World Cup included FIFA’s first-ever halftime show, featuring top music stars like Justin Bieber and Madonna.
- Soccer interest rose among younger Americans, with 22 percent of 18-to-34-year-olds actively following soccer in 2026.
- Only 27 percent of U.S. adults identified as professional soccer fans before the tournament.
- Soccer was the favorite sport for only 5 percent of Americans in 2023, compared to 54 percent for professional football.
- The World Cup raised over $50 million for Global Citizen’s education fund during the event.
- The event combined sports, entertainment, and fundraising, aiming to attract a broad audience beyond traditional soccer fans.
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