In the US, the 2026 World Cup’s legacy will be an invitation to do it all again | Leander Schaerlaeckens
Summary
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico was widely seen as successful in terms of attendance, excitement, and revenue, though some aspects were controversial. The expanded 48-team format worked well, and plans for a possible 64-team tournament are being discussed. The long-term effects on soccer’s popularity in North America remain uncertain.Key Facts
- The 2026 World Cup was hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
- The tournament had 48 teams instead of the previous 32, and the format worked well overall.
- Attendance was high, and the tournament generated billions more dollars than expected.
- Some new features included hydration breaks, championship rings, and commercial breaks similar to American sports.
- Mexico and Canada were pleased with their hosting performances; Mexico reached the last 16, and Canada showed improvement.
- The US Soccer Federation had limited control and did not receive direct profits from the tournament.
- It is unclear if the World Cup significantly increased new soccer fans in North America.
- Discussions are ongoing about expanding future World Cups to 64 teams.
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