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Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Kicking Forward, Dreaming Bigger
TDT | Manama Soccer Steps into the American Spotlight With just a year to go before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America, soccer is experiencing a quiet but profound transformation in the United States. No longer a peripheral pastime, the sport known globally as 'the beautiful game' is carving out real ground in a country long defined by its affection for American football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. The shift comes not just in the stands but also in the nation's infrastructure, talent pipeline, and cultural consciousness. And with 11 of the tournament's 16 host cities located in the U.S., the countdown to the world's biggest sporting event is sparking both excitement and reflection. A Long Way Since 1994 The last time the United States hosted a men's World Cup, in 1994, Major League Soccer (MLS) didn't yet exist. The final, a goalless draw settled on penalties between Brazil and Italy in front of over 94,000 fans at the Rose Bowl, hinted at potential, but the sport remained largely on the fringe. Former U.S. international Eddie Pope, who played in MLS's inaugural season in 1996, remembers those early days vividly—and not entirely fondly. '(At) Real Salt Lake, we literally—our locker room was in a strip mall,' he recalled. 'You didn't know where we were going to train some days.' Now serving as chief sporting officer at MLS Next Pro club Carolina Core FC, Pope sees a different world emerging. 'The players are better, the coaches are better. The referees are better—everything's better. And it took time, but I would say that we've moved at lightning speed.' Atlanta Takes Centre Stage Nowhere is that transformation more visible than in Atlanta, which was passed over as a World Cup host in 1994 as it prepared to stage the Olympics two years later. In 2026, the city will host eight World Cup matches—including a semi-final—and will become the new home of the U.S. Soccer Federation's first-ever national training centre. The move marks a symbolic shift in American soccer's geographic and strategic centre of gravity. 'You've a men's league that's been developed. You have international games coming in droves to the United States,' said Tim Zulawski, president of AMB Sports & Entertainment, the sports enterprise led by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. 'And ultimately, what you really have is kids having idols and people to look up to,' he added, speaking to the sport's long-term potential. The economic impact is expected to be substantial, with officials projecting $500 million in revenue for Atlanta alone. But perhaps more importantly, the city will become a cultural focal point for a sport still defining its identity on American soil. Challenges Still Remain Despite the infrastructure gains and growing public interest, challenges persist. The U.S. men's national team continues to grapple with inconsistency, and new head coach Mauricio Pochettino faces mounting pressure to deliver results in time for the tournament. But even amid sporting concerns, optimism prevails. The World Cup offers more than just a platform for competition—it provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deepen soccer's roots across America. FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains bullish. Three years ago, he predicted soccer would become the region's top sport following the 2026 edition. Whether or not that bold vision materialises, the trajectory is clear: American soccer is no longer on the sidelines. It's stepping onto centre stage.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Not the US pastime, but 'beautiful game' grows for Americans ahead of World Cup
Not the US pastime, but 'beautiful game' grows for Americans ahead of World Cup NEW YORK - With one year left to go until the 2026 World Cup, U.S. host cities and soccer fanatics hope the record-breaking quadrennial spectacle will elevate the "beautiful game" for American fans traditionally more keen on a different type of football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said three years ago he expected soccer to become the region's top sport when the largest-ever edition of the tournament plays out in North America in 2026, with Mexico and Canada co-hosting with the U.S. While the sport has a long way to go to loosen the vice-grip that the men's "Big Four" professional sports leagues have on U.S. fans, the quadrennial spectacle will play out in a country transformed from its last hosting gig in 1994. Professional soccer was a relative non-entity in the U.S. at that point, with Major League Soccer two years out from its debut season. And while 94,194 turned up in the Rose Bowl stands for an underwhelming 0-0 draw in the final - Brazil ultimately beat Italy 3-2 on penalties - the sport took time to capture mainstream American interest from that point. "There's no way anybody would have thought that it would be at the level that it is now," said Eddie Pope, who played in the MLS from its first season, beginning with D.C. United, before moving to the then-New York/New Jersey MetroStars and Real Salt Lake. "(In) my days at Real Salt Lake, we literally - our locker room was in a strip mall. And you didn't know where we were going to train in some days." The retired defender is now helping develop the next generation as chief sporting officer at Carolina Core FC, an MLS Next Pro club that hopes its new 11,000 square-foot (1,022 square-metre) training facility could serve as a base camp in the World Cup. "For kids that come in now, they have no idea," Pope told Reuters. "The players are better, the coaches are better. The referees are better - everything's better. And it took time, but I would say that we've moved at lightning speed." With 11 of the 16 World Cup host cities located in the U.S., organisers hope to build a new legacy for the sport in 2026, even as the men's national team struggles to click under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. Atlanta, which was left off the roster in 1994 as it prepared to host the Summer Olympics in 1996, will become the country's unofficial soccer capital when the U.S. federation opens its first-ever national training centre there in April. With eight matches scheduled for the southern hub city, including one semi-final, Atlanta expects roughly $500 million of economic impact. "You've a men's league that's been developed. You have international games coming in droves to the United States," said Tim Zulawski, president of Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank's AMB Sports & Entertainment. "And ultimately, what you really have is kids having idols and people to look up to." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Not the US pastime, but 'beautiful game' grows for Americans ahead of World Cup
NEW YORK, June 11 (Reuters) - With one year left to go until the 2026 World Cup, U.S. host cities and soccer fanatics hope the record-breaking quadrennial spectacle will elevate the "beautiful game" for American fans traditionally more keen on a different type of football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said three years ago he expected soccer to become the region's top sport when the largest-ever edition of the tournament plays out in North America in 2026, with Mexico and Canada co-hosting with the U.S. While the sport has a long way to go to loosen the vice-grip that the men's "Big Four" professional sports leagues have on U.S. fans, the quadrennial spectacle will play out in a country transformed from its last hosting gig in 1994. Professional soccer was a relative non-entity in the U.S. at that point, with Major League Soccer two years out from its debut season. And while 94,194 turned up in the Rose Bowl stands for an underwhelming 0-0 draw in the final - Brazil ultimately beat Italy 3-2 on penalties - the sport took time to capture mainstream American interest from that point. "There's no way anybody would have thought that it would be at the level that it is now," said Eddie Pope, who played in the MLS from its first season, beginning with D.C. United, before moving to the then-New York/New Jersey MetroStars and Real Salt Lake. "(In) my days at Real Salt Lake, we literally - our locker room was in a strip mall. And you didn't know where we were going to train in some days." The retired defender is now helping develop the next generation as chief sporting officer at Carolina Core FC, an MLS Next Pro club that hopes its new 11,000 square-foot (1,022 square-metre) training facility could serve as a base camp in the World Cup. "For kids that come in now, they have no idea," Pope told Reuters. "The players are better, the coaches are better. The referees are better - everything's better. And it took time, but I would say that we've moved at lightning speed." With 11 of the 16 World Cup host cities located in the U.S., organisers hope to build a new legacy for the sport in 2026, even as the men's national team struggles to click under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. Atlanta, which was left off the roster in 1994 as it prepared to host the Summer Olympics in 1996, will become the country's unofficial soccer capital when the U.S. federation opens its first-ever national training centre there in April. With eight matches scheduled for the southern hub city, including one semi-final, Atlanta expects roughly $500 million of economic impact. "You've a men's league that's been developed. You have international games coming in droves to the United States," said Tim Zulawski, president of Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank's AMB Sports & Entertainment. "And ultimately, what you really have is kids having idols and people to look up to."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Not the US pastime, but 'beautiful game' grows for Americans ahead of World Cup
* Soccer's popularity grows in U.S. ahead of 2026 World Cup * Sport has developed enormously since U.S. was host in 1994 * Atlanta takes soccer spotlight with new training centre NEW YORK, - With one year left to go until the 2026 World Cup, U.S. host cities and soccer fanatics hope the record-breaking quadrennial spectacle will elevate the "beautiful game" for American fans traditionally more keen on a different type of football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said three years ago he expected soccer to become the region's top sport when the largest-ever edition of the tournament plays out in North America in 2026, with Mexico and Canada co-hosting with the U.S. While the sport has a long way to go to loosen the vice-grip that the men's "Big Four" professional sports leagues have on U.S. fans, the quadrennial spectacle will play out in a country transformed from its last hosting gig in 1994. Professional soccer was a relative non-entity in the U.S. at that point, with Major League Soccer two years out from its debut season. And while 94,194 turned up in the Rose Bowl stands for an underwhelming 0-0 draw in the final - Brazil ultimately beat Italy 3-2 on penalties - the sport took time to capture mainstream American interest from that point. "There's no way anybody would have thought that it would be at the level that it is now," said Eddie Pope, who played in the MLS from its first season, beginning with D.C. United, before moving to the then-New York/New Jersey MetroStars and Real Salt Lake. " my days at Real Salt Lake, we literally - our locker room was in a strip mall. And you didn't know where we were going to train in some days." The retired defender is now helping develop the next generation as chief sporting officer at Carolina Core FC, an MLS Next Pro club that hopes its new 11,000 square-foot training facility could serve as a base camp in the World Cup. "For kids that come in now, they have no idea," Pope told Reuters. "The players are better, the coaches are better. The referees are better - everything's better. And it took time, but I would say that we've moved at lightning speed." With 11 of the 16 World Cup host cities located in the U.S., organisers hope to build a new legacy for the sport in 2026, even as the men's national team struggles to click under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. Atlanta, which was left off the roster in 1994 as it prepared to host the Summer Olympics in 1996, will become the country's unofficial soccer capital when the U.S. federation opens its first-ever national training centre there in April. With eight matches scheduled for the southern hub city, including one semi-final, Atlanta expects roughly $500 million of economic impact. "You've a men's league that's been developed. You have international games coming in droves to the United States," said Tim Zulawski, president of Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank's AMB Sports & Entertainment. "And ultimately, what you really have is kids having idols and people to look up to."
