Weston McKennie described his experience at the 2026 World Cup as "bittersweet," reflecting on both the United States men’s national team’s (USMNT) achievements and their early exit from the tournament. McKennie, a midfielder who started in all five of the team’s matches, helped lead the United States to win its group for the first time since 2010. However, the team's journey ended in the Round of 16 after a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
The match against Belgium drew a record-breaking television audience of 30 million viewers on Fox, marking the largest soccer broadcast in U.S. history. Despite the disappointing result, McKennie highlighted the broader impact of the tournament on American soccer’s popularity. Speaking in an interview, he emphasized the team’s goal to shift how soccer is perceived and enjoyed in the United States, noting an increased interest among fans who previously had little exposure to the sport.
McKennie, 27, who spends part of the year in Italy playing for Serie A club Juventus, noticed a significant change in public recognition following the World Cup. He recalled that prior to the tournament, many in the United States did not recognize him or understand his profession. Afterward, he encountered numerous new fans who expressed enthusiasm for the sport, an indicator of growing engagement across the country.
The 2026 World Cup was cohosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches held across 16 cities in stadiums typically used for American football and NFL games. The event set a new attendance record during the group stage with 3.6 million fans attending in person. Overall attendance, which included the expanded tournament format of 48 teams, surpassed 6.8 million spectators and achieved a 99.7% occupancy rate, according to FIFA.
McKennie pointed to the filled stadiums and widespread social media enthusiasm as signs of success. “Whenever we come back here and play normally, we can’t fill out stadiums like that,” he said, underscoring the unique atmosphere of the World Cup games and the level of fan support witnessed.
The tournament also showcased emerging talent like Folarin Balogun. The 25-year-old forward scored three goals before having a controversial red card rescinded ahead of the Belgium match. Balogun stepped up notably after U.S. captain Christian Pulisic was sidelined due to injury, including scoring twice in Pulisic’s absence. McKennie praised Balogun’s work ethic and physicality during the World Cup, qualities that he said many fans may not have fully appreciated before.
Aside from his on-field performances, McKennie also drew attention for his colorful hairstyles during the tournament. He joked about his hair dye choices, which sometimes caused confusion among fans regarding its design. Despite efforts to adjust the pattern of red, white, and blue—colors reflecting the U.S. flag—he noted the challenge of finding the right style to satisfy everyone’s expectations.