As the 2026 World Cup approaches, soccer’s place within the American sports hierarchy remains a subject of ongoing debate. The sport, often described as "America’s sport of the future," continues to struggle to secure a lasting foothold among the country’s traditional major leagues: football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.

This notion—sometimes attributed to Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano or media personalities like Keith Olbermann—has been both embraced and echoed with irony in American sports circles. Roger Bennett, founder and CEO of the Men in Blazers media network, has long asserted that soccer has held this status since the early 1970s, reflecting the sport's persistent but unrealized potential in the United States.

The recurring question is whether the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in North America, will mark a turning point. Soccer enthusiasts hope the event will elevate the sport into the upper echelon of American professional sports. However, past experience tempers optimism. When the United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994, hopes for a lasting surge in interest proved fleeting. The final, contested by Brazil and Italy and decided by a penalty shootout after a goalless draw, attracted considerable attention at the time but did not translate into sustained growth for the sport within the American market.

There have been notable moments that helped keep soccer in the public eye, including the 1999 Women’s World Cup victory led by Brandi Chastain, which garnered significant attention. Furthermore, major European leagues such as England’s Premier League have cultivated a dedicated following in the U.S., and Major League Soccer (MLS) has established strong fan bases in certain cities. For instance, franchises in Atlanta and Seattle have achieved greater prominence compared to teams like the New England Revolution in Foxborough, which, despite averaging around 20,000 spectators per game, remains less ingrained in local sports conversations.

Nevertheless, many American sports fans show a tendency to return to established favorites once high-profile soccer events conclude. The U.S. men’s national team elimination by Belgium in this World Cup underscored the challenges facing the sport’s broader domestic appeal. While the World Cup generates spikes in interest, whether this translates into long-term growth remains uncertain.

As the global game looks to secure a bigger share of the American sports audience, the 2026 World Cup will likely serve as a critical test of soccer’s staying power in the United States.