The 2026 World Cup has drawn record-breaking viewership numbers from Americans, signaling a growing enthusiasm for soccer in the United States. While the country is not yet considered a bona fide soccer nation, the past three weeks of the tournament have offered a glimpse of what it might feel like if it were.

This surge in interest highlights the expanding appeal of the sport across the U.S., as fans engage with the global event in unprecedented ways.

Juliana Kim, NPR News

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