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Posted on 06/08/2026 8:33:28 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
It’s time again for the quadrennial question: Can this be the World Cup that finally converts U.S. sports fans to soccer fanatics?
In 2026, the answer might be yes, or at least closer than ever. For the first time since 1994, the FIFA World Cup is being played on (North) American soil, and polling suggests an attitude shift. According to Numerator research, nearly a third of U.S. adults now plan to watch the 2026 tournament, up from 26% in January. YouGov data shows that 43% of U.S. sports fans cite hosting the tournament as a key reason they plan to tune in, which is the single biggest driver of viewership intent. And Nielsen reported in October that 37% of the general population expects their interest in soccer to grow over the next 18 months.
But pretournament enthusiasm and sustained fandom are different things. Before speculating on how this year will be different, it’s important to unpack why the world’s most popular sport has failed to capture and hold American audiences.
Why Soccer Never Became America’s Favorite Sport
NFL football is and has been the dominant U.S. television draw since the late 20th century. Even in our era of media fragmentation and atomized taste, American football consistently dominates the ratings, surviving along with election nights as one of our last durable media events. The Super Bowl remains the apotheosis of American ritualized mass viewing. In February 2025, 127.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the Philadelphia Eagles crush the Kansas City Chiefs, making it the most-watched single telecast in American history. Super Bowl LX, played this past February, hit a 15-minute peak of 137.8 million viewers during the second quarter.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
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WRONG….
The NFL is the highest-grossing sports league in the world, generating approximately $22.2 billion annually, while MLB generates roughly $12.8 billion. The NFL’s massive financial lead is primarily driven by highly lucrative national television contracts, whereas MLB relies more heavily on local media rights and heavy 162-game gate and stadium revenues.
NO!
“Will The 2026 FIFA World Cup Finally Make America A Soccer Nation?” I’d rather watch Caitlin Clark play basketball or Nelly Korda play golf.
Many Americans just don’t see the attraction of Soccer. I’ve tried many times because I KNOW for a fact that hundreds of millions of people who aren’t retarded or crazy are as fanatical about soccer as anyone could be about anything. Different games have different rhythms of action. Baseball can seem mystifyingly slow until you watch enough of it to see how fast a three point lead can go to hell on a team or how much sheer artistry there can be in the pitching. In soccer all I see is ridiculously long camera shots, possession constantly quickly changing, no discernible plays, especially near the net. Honestly if I were trying to sell soccer to America I’d at the very least get the ball handler up close and save the longs shot for passes. Then at least you could see the skill it takes to dribble at high speed for thirty yards while keeping the ball away from defenders to say nothing of the dynamic transition from dribbling to taking a shot.
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT SUCH.
THE HOOLIGANS WILL SHOW ALL THE REASONS WHY NOT
Every morning here in DFW the local news goes on no stop about the stupid fifa soccer crap. This is going to be a bust. Too expensive and why would anyone go watch soccer? Thats as bad as women’s basketball.
No.
The 1970s called. It wants its propaganda back. Unless you mean illegal aliens who are being deported.
“Baseball,hotdogs,apple pie and Chevrolet.”
The summer ad pitch from long ago.
Now we are now infested with millions of foreign born leeches who will never know what a great culture their mere presence has ruined.
The decline of “Americana” will continue.
Somewhere in my memory the 1975-1977 “Big Red Machine” still plays.
“Baseball,hotdogs,apple pie and Chevrolet.”
The summer ad pitch from long ago.
Now we are now infested with millions of foreign born leeches who will never know what a great culture their mere presence has ruined.
The decline of “Americana” will continue.
Somewhere in my memory the 1975-1977 “Big Red Machine” still plays.
And, the hockey fights! Perhaps soccer would catch on if they raised the testosterone levels and threw a few punches.
Where I was born and raised, ie the South, the worm never turned. College football is VASTLY bigger than pro football. That's also true in some parts of the Midwest and the non left coast West as well. A lot of the support you see for pro football in the South even today are relocated Yankees. The fanbases for the college teams are bigger and MUCH more passionate/committed.
Kicking to a teammate breaking away from the defense should be rewarded not penalized. Soccer has too much of an "it's not fair" air about it.
Also, stop the drama when a player steps on a toe. Penalize the bad acting. If I could walk out of the woods, after breaking my tibia, a soccer player can certainly suck it up and keep on playing.
Coulter: Any growing interest in soccer a sign of nation's moral decay
I'm actually a modest soccer fan- not really so much of the sport itself, but I do follow a team in the English Premier League (when they're not relegated). Coulter's take is kind of fun, and with a little bit of truth.
I prefer the NFL by a wide margin, but I have come to an appreciation for soccer. And I'm always amused by the reports that the sport is on the edge of breaking big.
Just want to add my NO to the tally. I like English soccer and check scores and tables but don’t watch much but let me add yet another NO to the tally. To be clear, yes, that’s two. You’re welcome.
After watching a little bit of cricket on “ Midsomer murders”, I watched a little bit of highlights on YouTube and tried to learn some of the rules.
It led me to believe that if I played baseball, I would much rather play cricket.
You can stand in the batters box and keep whacking at the ball until they actually get you out. Hit the ball and you make one point.
Hit it farther and you make three points.
Just keep batting until they get you out.
Looks like so much fun.
Thank you! You might also like Wildergarten.org and Shemitta.com. Working on a fourth book now that ties it all together.
No, but it will ensure I stay away from those crowds and not watch any of it on tv.
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