The 2026 World Cup has marked a significant milestone for soccer in the United States, with nearly 7 million fans filling stadiums across North America and the final between Spain and Argentina reaching a peak audience of 52 million viewers, averaging around 38 million.

Landon Donovan, former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder and a FOX analyst throughout the tournament, described this year's World Cup as "an unforgettable memory." Reflecting on the intense schedule, he said, "I'm sad it's over now. It really did go by so fast. Maybe for people at home, not so fast. But for us, it was just travel, game, work, game, travel, appearance, travel, meet-and-greet, travel, game. It was honestly the time of my life, and I'm sad it's over."

Donovan, who recalled the ovation he received upon returning to Major League Soccer (MLS) after the 2002 World Cup, believes soccer has firmly arrived in America. "There has been study after study, they asked people to name their favorite sport. The NFL was one, the NBA was two and soccer was three — soccer in general, right? So people do love this sport in this country," he said.

He also highlighted the role of partners like AT&T in connecting fans to the sport through initiatives such as his podcast with Tim Howard and the MLS All-Star Games. Donovan has partnered with AT&T for the upcoming MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Alan Rothenberg, founder of Major League Soccer, emphasized the tournament's success and the emergence of young U.S. talent, expressing optimism that the momentum will inspire a new generation of players and solidify soccer's growth and competitive future in the country.

While the United States Men's National Team did not advance as far as hoped, the sport dominated conversations nationwide this summer. The growth following this World Cup is anticipated to mirror the surge experienced after the 1994 tournament, positioning soccer well for continued expansion.

Sources