{"id":4892,"date":"2026-07-01T18:35:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T18:35:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/07\/01\/americans-are-showing-up-for-the-world-cup-in-record-breaking-numbers\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T18:35:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T18:35:04","slug":"americans-are-showing-up-for-the-world-cup-in-record-breaking-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4892","title":{"rendered":"Americans are showing up for the World Cup in record-breaking numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"storytitle\">\n<h1>Americans are showing up for the World Cup in record-breaking numbers<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORYTITLE\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"story-meta\" class=\"story-meta has-byline\">\n<div class=\"story-meta__one\">\n<div class=\"story-meta__one-inner\">\n<div class=\"dateblock\">\n    <time datetime=\"2026-07-01T11:06:18-04:00\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"date\">July 1, 2026<\/span><span class=\"time\">11:06 AM ET<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/time>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORY-META__ONE-INNER\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORY-META__ONE\" --><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-meta__two\">\n<div id=\"storybyline\" class=\"storybyline-wrap linkLocation\">\n<div class=\"bucketwrap byline\">\n<div class=\"byline-container--block\">\n<div class=\"byline byline--block byline--has-link\" aria-label=\"Byline\">\n<div class=\"byline__photo\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/people\/1108419098\/juliana-kim\" rel=\"author\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/807x807+0+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F35%2F6a%2Fb0e42997405eb4ba61920f56aa67%2Fjuliana-kim-headshot.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Headshot of Juliana Kim\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/807x807+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F35%2F6a%2Fb0e42997405eb4ba61920f56aa67%2Fjuliana-kim-headshot.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\"><br \/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<p class=\"byline__name byline__name--block\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/people\/1108419098\/juliana-kim\" rel=\"author\"><br \/>\n      Juliana Kim<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP BYLINE\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORY-META__TWO\" -->\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"STORY-META\" CLASS=\"STORY-META HAS-BYLINE\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"storytext\" class=\"storytext storylocation linkLocation\">\n<div id=\"resg-s1-131533\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 2048;--source-height: 1365\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2048x1365+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa0%2F6a%2Fc6661970461aa6fa108980f73ec1%2Fgettyimages-2283260107.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2048x1365+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa0%2F6a%2Fc6661970461aa6fa108980f73ec1%2Fgettyimages-2283260107.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Mexico fans reacts to its national team scoring against the Czech Republic during a watch party at Shell Stadium in Houston on June 24.\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Mexico fans reacts to its national team scoring against the Czech Republic during a watch party at Shell Stadium in Houston on June 24.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It didn&#8217;t take long for Americans to embrace the face paint. Or the flag-wearing. Or the dancing and marching to the sounds of Brazil&#8217;s samba or Scotland&#8217;s bagpipes.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-100\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5872241\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/28\/nx-s1-5872241\/2026-world-cup-fifa-knockout-round-of-32\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/28\/nx-s1-5872241\/2026-world-cup-fifa-knockout-round-of-32\"}'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4463x4463+1837+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7b%2F43%2F9e653192491a80261c7af455f6a1%2Fgettyimages-2280602335.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4463x4463+1837+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7b%2F43%2F9e653192491a80261c7af455f6a1%2Fgettyimages-2280602335.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4463x4463+1837+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7b%2F43%2F9e653192491a80261c7af455f6a1%2Fgettyimages-2280602335.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"U.S. forward #20 Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during their opening World Cup group match against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif. on June 12, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a>         <\/p>\n<div class=\"bucketblock\">\n<h3 class=\"slug\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/g-s1-98388\/soccer-edition\">Soccer Edition <\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/28\/nx-s1-5872241\/2026-world-cup-fifa-knockout-round-of-32\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/28\/nx-s1-5872241\/2026-world-cup-fifa-knockout-round-of-32\"}'>On to the knockout round: 4 takeaways from the FIFA World Cup so far<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-100\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>The World Cup is halfway through, and it&#8217;s shaping up exactly how soccer organizers and longtime fans had hoped: The tournament is one big party.<\/p>\n<p>A party that has stretched across sweaty sports bars and crowded parks. In hole-in-the-wall restaurants and sprawling football stadiums. And in oppressive heat and relentless thunderstorms.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-131536\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 5209;--source-height: 3473\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5209x3473+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2F8a%2F0582e33c4872938597e81756a705%2Fgettyimages-2283366965.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5209x3473+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2F8a%2F0582e33c4872938597e81756a705%2Fgettyimages-2283366965.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Fans attend the Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Los Angeles Union Station on June 25.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Fans attend the Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Los Angeles Union Station on June 25.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Stefanie Keenan\/Getty Images for Union Station<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Stefanie Keenan\/Getty Images for Union Station<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In Boston, over a thousand fans gathered for the city&#8217;s last fan festival at City Hall Plaza \u2014 cheering in unison with every goal scored during England vs. Panama.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\u200aTo be honest, I had no expectations. But I didn&#8217;t know how great it was gonna be,&#8221; said Jason Jusino, of Medford, Mass. &#8220;\u200aThe city hasn&#8217;t felt this kind of electricity in so long.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The World Cup began dogged by criticism over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/28\/nx-s1-5836514\/2026-world-cup-fifa-ticket-prices\" target=\"_blank\"><u>sky-high ticket prices<\/u><\/a> and concerns that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/09\/nx-s1-5851634\/immigration-policies-affect-fifa\" target=\"_blank\"><u>U.S. was a problematic host<\/u><\/a>. None of those issues has been resolved. But Americans are showing up anyway for the world&#8217;s most beloved sport and in record-breaking numbers. It comes as the U.S. heads into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/07\/01\/nx-s1-5876418\/2026-world-cup-fifa-usmnt-bosnia-herzegovina-round-of-32\" target=\"_blank\"><u>its knockout stage match<\/u><\/a> against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday at 8 pm ET.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Soccer has won,&#8221; said Bret Myers, who teaches sports analytics at Villanova University&#8217;s School of Business. &#8220;\u200aIn the sense of, it has kind of drowned out any potential issues or any of the controversies that were bubbling before the tournament.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-131540\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 5885;--source-height: 3923\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5885x3923+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fca%2F5b%2F24c5af4a484183e223c2f51c0449%2Fgettyimages-2281381267.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5885x3923+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fca%2F5b%2F24c5af4a484183e223c2f51c0449%2Fgettyimages-2281381267.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Soccer fans watch the World Cup football match between Argentina and Algeria at the Power &amp; Light District in Kansas City, Missouri on June 16.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Soccer fans watch the World Cup football match between Argentina and Algeria at the Power &amp; Light District in Kansas City, Missouri on June 16.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Austin Johnson\/AFP via Getty Images<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Austin Johnson\/AFP via Getty Images<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\"><strong>Breaking down the numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>One of the most impressive stats so far is from the USMNT&#8217;s opening game against Paraguay on June 12. An average of about 25 million people tuned in across Fox, Telemundo and their streaming platforms \u2014 making it one of the most-watched soccer games ever broadcast in the U.S. That&#8217;s according to data released by Nielsen, the media analytics company.<\/p>\n<p>To put that into perspective, the USMNT&#8217;s first group stage game during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, against Wales, drew a total audience of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/articles\/soccer\/world-cup-draws-record-viewership-to-telemundo-and-peacock\" target=\"_blank\"><u>11.7 million people in the U.S.<\/u><\/a> (Granted, the match took place on a Monday afternoon and not a Friday night, like U.S. vs. Paraguay.)<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-131525\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 5568;--source-height: 3712\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5568x3712+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F82%2F39c59674486fbc18ad68829cdf60%2Fgettyimages-2282484590.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5568x3712+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F82%2F39c59674486fbc18ad68829cdf60%2Fgettyimages-2282484590.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Fans cheer at the FIFA Fan Festival in Boston for the World Cup match between England and Ghana on June 23.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Fans cheer at the FIFA Fan Festival in Boston for the World Cup match between England and Ghana on June 23.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Joseph Prezioso\/AFP via Getty Images<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Joseph Prezioso\/AFP via Getty Images<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Viewership has remained high for Team USA \u2014 reaching over 22 million in its following games against Australia and Turkey. Those figures rival the averages at the most recent NBA finals and the MLB World Series, though it&#8217;s still about 100 million viewers shy of a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan averaged <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcuniversal.com\/article\/nbcuniversals-presentation-milan-cortina-olympics-dominates-media-landscape-delivers-largest-winter\" target=\"_blank\"><u>23.5 million viewers in the U.S<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" CLASS=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" ARIA-LABEL=\"RECOMMENDED STORIES\" --><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps more remarkable is that American fans aren&#8217;t just watching en masse for their home team. Fox reported <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FOXSportsPR\/status\/2072115347075785140\/photo\/1\" target=\"_blank\"><u>an average 5 million viewers<\/u><\/a> across 72 matches during the group stage, setting a new record for the network, despite concerns that the World Cup&#8217;s new expanded format would feel bloated and drawn out. Telemundo saw an average of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/pressbox\/press-releases\/telemundo-and-peacock-deliver-record-breaking-viewership-of-fifa-world-cup-2026-group-stage-in-spanish\" target=\"_blank\"><u>4.6 million viewers.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-101\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5795791\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/09\/nx-s1-5795791\/2026-history-soccer-fifa-world-cup-fans\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/09\/nx-s1-5795791\/2026-history-soccer-fifa-world-cup-fans\"}'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1971x1971+515+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2F98%2Fb72ac1244a78880bc2f0e29a2dec%2Fap319978140860.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1971x1971+515+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2F98%2Fb72ac1244a78880bc2f0e29a2dec%2Fap319978140860.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1971x1971+515+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2F98%2Fb72ac1244a78880bc2f0e29a2dec%2Fap319978140860.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"This photo shows a broad view of soccer fans packing the inside of the Rose Bowl prior to the World Cup final on July 17, 1994. Trees, including palm trees, rise up behind the stadium.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a>         <\/p>\n<div class=\"bucketblock\">\n<h3 class=\"slug\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/g-s1-98388\/soccer-edition\">Soccer Edition <\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/09\/nx-s1-5795791\/2026-history-soccer-fifa-world-cup-fans\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/09\/nx-s1-5795791\/2026-history-soccer-fifa-world-cup-fans\"}'>Soccer was once considered niche in the U.S. Then came the 1994 World Cup<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-101\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>By another benchmark, Mike Mulvihill, the president of insights and analytics for Fox Sports, said on <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mulvihill79\/status\/2070493444418814163\" target=\"_blank\"><u>X<\/u><\/a> that the average Fox viewer has already consumed more games through last Tuesday than they did during the entire 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>By FIFA&#8217;s own measure, the World Cup has also been a success so far. About 4.6 million fans attended the group stage matches, filling 99.7% of available seats, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.fifa.com\/organisation\/news\/records-world-cup-2026-group-stage-sets-new-benchmark\" target=\"_blank\"><u>FIFA<\/u><\/a>. It has already marked a new record for highest attendance, which was previously held by the 1994 tournament in the U.S. Meanwhile, fan festivals across the U.S., Mexico and Canada have attracted 5.5 million attendees.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-131526\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3645;--source-height: 2525\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3645x2525+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F04%2Fe4%2Fe7e416d7490195f4f1dd17bcb43f%2Fgettyimages-2283630321.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3645x2525+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F04%2Fe4%2Fe7e416d7490195f4f1dd17bcb43f%2Fgettyimages-2283630321.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Fans attend the Los Angeles World Cup Fan Zone at Los Angeles Union Station on June 27.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Fans attend the Los Angeles World Cup Fan Zone at Los Angeles Union Station on June 27.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Phillip Faraone\/Getty Images North America<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Phillip Faraone\/Getty Images North America<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\"><strong>A World Cup stirring joy, excitement and most importantly, hope<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In many ways, the strong turnout for the World Cup isn&#8217;t all that surprising. Over the years, Major League Soccer has grown in attendance, viewership and number of teams. Meanwhile, both the Premier League and Liga MX have continued to build a loyal following in the U.S.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-102\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n<div class=\"bucketblock\">\n<h3 class=\"slug\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/sports\/\">Sports <\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/25\/nx-s1-5867635\/how-coach-mauricio-pochettino-made-believers-out-of-the-u-s-world-cup-team\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/25\/nx-s1-5867635\/how-coach-mauricio-pochettino-made-believers-out-of-the-u-s-world-cup-team\"}'>How Coach Mauricio Pochettino made believers out of the U.S. World Cup team<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-102\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>The nation&#8217;s soccer fan base is younger and more diverse than audiences for other major leagues, with the Hispanic community at the heart of fandom, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nielsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026-World-Cup-Fandom-Report-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"><u>Nielsen<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Then, there&#8217;s the USMNT&#8217;s stunning run so far \u2014 rekindling hope and excitement for fans at home after years of finishing middle of the pack on the global stage.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It helped tremendously that they won that first game,&#8221; said Myers from Villanova University. &#8220;It maintains that excitement level.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-131527\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 6288;--source-height: 4194\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6288x4194+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2F89%2F83713b5449a9ba96988bef4d0f82%2Fgettyimages-2282400189.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6288x4194+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2F89%2F83713b5449a9ba96988bef4d0f82%2Fgettyimages-2282400189.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Team USA fans cheer during a watch party in San Francisco during the U.S. vs. Australia match on June 19.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Team USA fans cheer during a watch party in San Francisco during the U.S. vs. Australia match on June 19.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Heather Diehl\/Getty Images North America<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Heather Diehl\/Getty Images North America<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Now all eyes are on the USMNT and if it can pull off its first World Cup knockout win since 2002.Myers believes that regardless of how Team USA fares, Americans will continue to follow the tournament in record numbers.<\/p>\n<p>Back in Boston, Eddy Balcarcel from Attleboro, Mass., has attended several watch parties and two games at Gillette Stadium, known as Boston Stadium during the World Cup. He said the tournament has exceeded his expectations, partly eclipsing his disdain for the high ticket prices.<\/p>\n<p>\u200a&#8221;Every year I get more excited about soccer and hope that it gets better here in this country,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Jusino, from Medford, has been following the World Cup ever since it came to the U.S. in 1994. The way he feels about the nation&#8217;s growing soccer fandom is the same as he feels about the USMNT.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\u200aIt&#8217;s just nice to look at them and be like, &#8216;Oh yeah, this is what America&#8217;s about,'&#8221; he said. &#8220;You know, growing and persevering.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-131530\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 7078;--source-height: 4721\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7078x4721+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff7%2Fc9%2Fbf7b0e6f457ea4bb3416d2536df3%2Fgettyimages-2282278064.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7078x4721+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff7%2Fc9%2Fbf7b0e6f457ea4bb3416d2536df3%2Fgettyimages-2282278064.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Fan attend a watch party for Argentina vs. Austria at Hudson Yards in New York City on June 22.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Fan attend a watch party for Argentina vs. Austria at Hudson Yards in New York City on June 22.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Leonardo Munoz\/AFP via Getty Images<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Leonardo Munoz\/AFP via Getty Images<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em>GBH&#8217;s Sam Turken contributed reporting.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"bucketwrap featured area\" id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-103\" role=\"featured\" aria-label=\"featured\">\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-104\" class=\"bucketwrap statichtml\">\n                  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/g-s1-98388\/2026-world-cup-north-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"max-width: 100%\"><br \/>\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/13\/4b\/8dd1f5054f37ba5cb29047f68fe5\/homepage-wide-1000x250.png\" alt=\"Soccer Edition: World Cup stories, beyond the scores from the NPR Network\" style=\"width: 100%;height: auto;border: none\"><\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-104\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP STATICHTML\" --><\/p>\n<div class=\"bucketwrap featured area\" id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-105\" role=\"featured\" aria-label=\"featured\">\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-106\" class=\"bucketwrap promocard\">\n<article class=\"post-type-spike post-type-spike-featured volume-low  has-affiliation\">\n    <a class=\"story-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wbur.org\/news\/2026\/06\/29\/world-cup-favorite-moments-group-stage\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"clickPosition\":\"1.1-S\",\"clickType\":\"curated story\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.wbur.org\/news\/2026\/06\/29\/world-cup-favorite-moments-group-stage\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-text\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">\n            <b class=\"title-inner\">Our favorite off-the-pitch moments from the World Cup group stage<\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"affiliation\"><br \/>\n                    WBUR<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n        <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <\/a><br \/>\n<\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-106\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP PROMOCARD\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-107\" class=\"bucketwrap promocard\">\n<article class=\"post-type-spike volume-low  has-affiliation\">\n    <a class=\"story-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wlrn.org\/sports\/2026-06-30\/pay-to-play-u-s-youth-soccer-has-an-access-problem-can-the-world-cup-help\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"clickPosition\":\"1.2-S\",\"clickType\":\"curated story\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.wlrn.org\/sports\/2026-06-30\/pay-to-play-u-s-youth-soccer-has-an-access-problem-can-the-world-cup-help\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-text\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">\n            <b class=\"title-inner\">Pay to play: U.S. youth soccer has an access problem. Can the World Cup help?<\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"affiliation\"><br \/>\n                    WLRN<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n        <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <\/a><br \/>\n<\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-107\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP PROMOCARD\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-108\" class=\"bucketwrap promocard\">\n<article class=\"post-type-spike volume-low  has-affiliation\">\n    <a class=\"story-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tV7vwYNL-r8\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"clickPosition\":\"1.3-S\",\"clickType\":\"curated story\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tV7vwYNL-r8\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-text\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">\n            <b class=\"title-inner\">Why is soccer called football in other countries? <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"affiliation\"><br \/>\n                    Vermont Public News<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n        <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <\/a><br \/>\n<\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-108\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP PROMOCARD\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-109\" class=\"bucketwrap promocard\">\n<article class=\"post-type-spike volume-low  has-affiliation\">\n    <a class=\"story-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wuwm.com\/the-making-of-milwaukee-messi-a-story-of-refugees-found-family-and-opportunity\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"clickPosition\":\"1.4-S\",\"clickType\":\"curated story\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.wuwm.com\/the-making-of-milwaukee-messi-a-story-of-refugees-found-family-and-opportunity\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-text\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">\n            <b class=\"title-inner\">The making of &#8216;Milwaukee Messi&#8217;: How a Wisconsin-born winger made it to the World Cup<\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"affiliation\"><br \/>\n                    WUWM 89.7 FM<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n        <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <\/a><br \/>\n<\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-109\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP PROMOCARD\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5876297-110\" class=\"bucketwrap promocard\">\n<article class=\"post-type-spike volume-low  has-affiliation\">\n    <a class=\"story-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wbur.org\/news\/2026\/06\/29\/world-cup-sports-betting-draftkings-fanduel-gambling\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"clickPosition\":\"1.5-S\",\"clickType\":\"curated story\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.wbur.org\/news\/2026\/06\/29\/world-cup-sports-betting-draftkings-fanduel-gambling\"}'><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-text\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">\n            <b class=\"title-inner\">Experts bet World Cup wagers will bring Mass. big tax revenue  \u2014 and public health worries<\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"affiliation\"><br \/>\n                    WBUR<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n        <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <\/a><br \/>\n<\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-110\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP PROMOCARD\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP FEATURED AREA\" ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-105\" ROLE=\"FEATURED\" ARIA-LABEL=\"FEATURED\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP FEATURED AREA\" ID=\"RESNX-S1-5876297-103\" ROLE=\"FEATURED\" ARIA-LABEL=\"FEATURED\" -->\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"share-tools share-tools--secondary\" aria-label=\"Share tools\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"share-tools__service share-tools__service--facebook\"><button class=\"fbStorynx-s1-5876297\" data-share-facebook='{\"storyId\": \"nx-s1-5876297\" }' data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"share\",\"action\":\"share\",\"clickName\":\"facebook\"}'><b class=\"share-tools__service-name\">Facebook<\/b><\/button><\/li>\n<li class=\"share-tools__service share-tools__service--flipboard\"><button 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PLUS, THE BEST OF NPR EVERY SUNDAY.&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;STICKYDESCRIPTION&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;SIGN UP FOR THE NPR&#039;S UP FIRST NEWSLETTER FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES AND UNIQUE STORIES FROM THE NPR NETWORK.&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;CONTENTIMAGE&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;HTTPS:\/\/NPR.BRIGHTSPOTCDN.COM\/E1\/16\/E7434747460F8691603795B6FF1C\/SCREEN-SHOT-2025-08-20-AT-1-47-26-PM.PNG&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;STATICMARKUPDIR&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;\/BUCKETS\/TOPICS\/HEADER1001.HTML&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;BRANDINGDIR&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;\/BRANDING\/SECTIONS\/NEWS\/&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;BRANDINGLINK&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;HTTPS:\/\/WWW.NPR.ORG\/SECTIONS\/NEWS\/&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;RECAPTCHASITEKEY&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;6LCDN9IZAAAAAOHT985BJJBZJKBJKSXDXK3GEKST&amp;QUOT;}\" --><br \/>\n<!-- END ID=\"CALLOUT-END-OF-STORY-MOUNT\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"callout-end-of-story-mount-piano-wrap\" class=\"callout-end-of-story-mount-piano-wrap\">\n<!-- END ID=\"CALLOUT-END-OF-STORY-MOUNT-PIANO\" CLASS=\"CALLOUT-END-OF-STORY-MOUNT-PIANO\" -->\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"CALLOUT-END-OF-STORY-MOUNT-PIANO-WRAP\" CLASS=\"CALLOUT-END-OF-STORY-MOUNT-PIANO-WRAP\" --><br \/>\n<!-- END ID=\"END-OF-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" CLASS=\"RECOMMENDED-STORIES RECOMMENDED-STORIES-PIANO\" ARIA-LABEL=\"RECOMMENDED STORIES\" --><br \/>\n<!-- END ID=\"END-OF-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT\" CLASS=\"RECOMMENDED-STORIES\" ARIA-LABEL=\"RECOMMENDED STORIES\" --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Americans are showing up for the World Cup in record-breaking numbers July 1, 202611:06 AM ET Juliana Kim<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4894,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4892\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}