As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup officially hits the one-year mark, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expressing palpable excitement about the tournament's potential impact on North American soil. Speaking on Friday during FOX's "FIFA World Cup 26: One Year To Go" celebration in Miami, Infantino boldly declared that "Football or soccer is conquering America." His comments highlight the growing momentum behind the sport in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which will co-host the highly anticipated event.
Infantino envisions the 2026 World Cup as a transformative event that will captivate the continent. "It will be a great celebration," he stated, anticipating millions of fans converging on the 16 host cities. These cities will not only host matches in state-of-the-art stadiums but will also feature vibrant fan festivals, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the tournament. Infantino believes the World Cup will "flip the country upside down, and then back up and back down," emphasizing the widespread impact and excitement it will generate.
The FIFA president's enthusiasm is further fueled by the expansion of the World Cup format to include 48 teams. This inclusivity has already allowed nations like Uzbekistan and Jordan to qualify for the first time, creating a wave of excitement across the globe. Infantino emphasizes that "The emotion is exactly the same whether you're Argentina, a world champion, or Uzbekistan or Jordan. This is what we want all over the world. It's a big emotion."
Before the World Cup takes center stage, the United States is set to host the revamped Club World Cup. This tournament will bring together the best club teams from around the world, offering a preview of the high-caliber soccer that North American fans can expect in 2026. The opening match, featuring Lionel Messi's Inter Miami against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly FC in Miami, is a clear indication of the growing interest and investment in soccer within the region.
Infantino has also compared the Club World Cup to the inaugural World Cup in 1930, highlighting its potential to usher in a "new era of football." He emphasized FIFA's commitment to inclusivity, aiming to provide opportunities for clubs from outside traditional soccer powerhouses to compete on a global stage. "We want to be inclusive," he said. "We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world. It's really to globalize football, to make it truly, truly global."
Several factors point to the growing popularity of soccer in America. The increasing number of people who have become soccer fans in recent years signals a surge in interest. According to a recent report, the number of people in the United States who have been soccer fans for five years or fewer has increased dramatically, with first-time fans showing a significant rise year-over-year. This surge in fandom coincides with the growing accessibility of soccer through various media platforms, with matches available at different times of the day and on multiple streaming services.
Moreover, youth soccer participation has witnessed substantial growth, with millions of young people actively involved in the sport. The increasing Latino population in the U.S. has also contributed to the sport's growth, bringing with them a deep-rooted passion for the game. The success of women's soccer, both at the professional and national levels, has further fueled the sport's popularity, inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
Looking ahead, the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles present unprecedented opportunities to solidify soccer's place in the American sporting landscape. With increasing viewership, growing participation rates, and strategic investments in infrastructure and development, soccer is poised for continued growth in the years to come. Infantino's sentiment reflects the belief that soccer is not just gaining traction but is indeed "conquering America," transforming it into a nation where the beautiful game thrives.
