The Global Dominance of Football
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport worldwide, with millions of people playing it daily. Some say the sport athletes are the most prominent stars globally, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi being clear examples. But when it comes to US soccer, it must compete with some of the biggest local leagues in the world and some of the biggest athletes including Lebron James, Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Mahomes.
The Marked difference between U.S. Women’s Soccer vs. Men’s
Regarding the women’s division of the sport, the United States has won several World Cups and has been dominant ever since it began competing. However, the men’s division tells a different story. The U.S. men’s national team has even failed to qualify for the World Cup in the past, despite competing in one of FIFA’s weakest regions — CONCACAF. The USWNT have won four FIFA Women’s World Cup titles, the most of any country in the tournament’s history. Nobody else has ever won more than two, something only accomplished by Germany.
Competing Against Major American Leagues
The United States is one of the few countries where soccer cannot compete with major leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. Since the 1990s, when the country hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has tried to get the ball rolling in this massive market. This is very similar to the commonwealth countries where Cricket is the sole owner of the spotlight, so countries like India, Pakistan and some other countries soccer has a secondhand spot.
Early Attempts to Popularize Soccer
Players like the legendary Brazilian Pelé once played for the now-defunct New York Cosmos, but the sport failed to gain lasting traction. Despite these efforts, soccer remained a niche pastime compared to other sports deeply rooted in American culture. The United States has had a huge influence with immigrants were football is king, places like Latin America, Europe and some places in Asia.
The Emergence of U.S. Soccer Talent
Over the past few decades, the country has produced talented players like Landon Donovan, who enjoyed a solid career playing for top European clubs. However, the U.S. has yet to make that one global superstar — the player every child wants to emulate. Stars like Mexico’s Hugo Sánchez or Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas have won major titles with Real Madrid, widely regarded as one of the best football clubs in the world.
American soccer fans increasingly follow European leagues where top US talent competes. Christian Pulisic’s Serie A campaign with AC Milan, Tyler Adams at Bournemouth, and Weston McKennie at Juventus provide windows into US player development at the highest levels. For fans interested in tracking match outcomes and league standings, sportsbooks like bet365 offer promos, odds and analysis on European competitions.
Challenges in Player Development
The main question remains: what is happening in the developmental process that prevents the U.S. from producing world-class soccer players, despite its success in basketball, American football, and baseball? In the U.S., soccer still carries the stigma of being a youth or women’s sport. Many people who played soccer as children eventually transition to more traditional American sports as they grow older. Several aspects of soccer also turn off many American fans. Common criticisms include the lack of high scores, frequent draws, and flopping — players exaggerating contact to draw fouls.
The Lack of American Soccer Superstars
This, combined with the lack of American soccer icons like Lebron James, Aaron Judge or Patrick Mahomes from their respective leagues that young players can look up to, contributes to the ongoing transition toward other sports such as basketball, football, or baseball.
The MLS and Aging Superstars
In the past decade and a half, the American Major League Soccer (MLS) has gained a reputation as a “retirement league,” where global superstars spend their final playing years. Legendary players like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Lionel Messi have joined MLS teams like LA Galaxy or Inter Miami.
When Argentine superstar Lionel Messi signed with David Beckham’s Inter Miami after his stint with Paris Saint-Germain, ticket prices skyrocketed overnight — a testament to his global influence, even in the twilight of his career.
The 2026 World Cup: A New Opportunity
FIFA is once again betting big on the U.S. market. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States — three nations with world-class stadiums and infrastructure ready for the biggest tournament ever planned.
A Promising Yet Uncertain Future
While soccer or football as it is called in the rest of the world in the U.S. has made progress, it still faces very real struggles including cultural and structural that hinder its growth to a powerhouse status. With the 2026 World Cup approaching and increasing youth interest, the next decade could finally determine whether the United States will join the ranks of global football’s elite.
Main image credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire