World Cup Spurs Economic Growth and Inspires U.S. Soccer’s Future
The World Cup has driven an economic surge and inspired young talent in U.S. Soccer, according to Brian Kilmeade. He highlighted record viewership and substantial economic boosts in host cities. Alan Rothenberg, founder of Major League Soccer, praised the tournament’s success and noted the emerging talent in U.S. Soccer. Rothenberg believes this momentum will inspire future generations, securing the sport’s competitive future in the United States.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup received widespread criticism from European fans and some domestic sportswriters but proved a tremendous success. The group stage set a new attendance record, drawing fans globally to the United States. Local supporters also turned out in large numbers, with some neutral fans spending heavily for tickets to witness high-caliber international soccer.
Viewership reached record levels, particularly during the U.S. men’s national team’s match against Belgium, breaking records for the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in the country’s history.
USA-BELGIUM BECOMES MOST-WATCHED SOCCER TELECAST IN US HISTORY WITH STAGGERING VIEWERSHIP NUMBERS
The 2026 format change included expanding the tournament to 48 teams from the traditional 32. Many purists were skeptical, but it was largely deemed successful. Although this format reduces the likelihood of a major tournament favorite exiting early, it allows smaller countries to participate and occasionally become surprising fan favorites. Cape Verde progressed past the first round, pushing Argentina to a close match.
FIFA, always aiming to improve its financial outlook, plans to capitalize on this expansion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino discussed potential future expansion with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, hinting at a possible 64-team format. “When you organize a World Cup, it’s important that you organize it for the whole world… Every nation should have the dream of participating,” Infantino stated.
Infantino stressed the importance of inclusion, noting the increased quality of teams worldwide. Without opportunities for smaller countries, these nations lose the motivation to improve.
While a 64-team format could bring competitive and financial benefits, it raises two significant challenges. The qualification process might become less meaningful, as most major countries would qualify easily. Additionally, few countries have enough venues to host a tournament of this size efficiently.
The United States stands out as a viable permanent host due to its numerous stadiums with a capacity of 60,000 seats or more. The U.S. has around 75 such stadiums, a logistical advantage that minimizes travel hassles compared to countries in Europe. Modern stadiums that require minimal upgrades allow FIFA to sell many tickets while controlling costs for the host nation.
Despite potential objections from other countries and federations, the 2026 World Cup demonstrated that the United States could offer exceptional hospitality to visiting fans. The tournament’s success might make U.S. hosting a less contentious topic in the future.
Ian Miller reports on sports for OutKick.