Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Sunil Gulati on FIFA World Cup 2026 and US Soccer Growth
Sunil Gulati, who helped bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to North America, believes the tournament's success will help soccer grow in the US.
The World Cup had record attendance and high viewership, showing that soccer is gaining popularity, especially among younger people.
Gulati compares the US to India, where cricket is the dominant sport, and says soccer faces similar challenges.
He also talks about the hydration breaks and expensive tickets, which were FIFA directives, not US-specific ideas.
The Major League Soccer (MLS) has improved since its start in 1993, with Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami being a big boost.
However, the US men's national team has not had much success recently, and Gulati acknowledges the challenges of competing in a tournament with many strong teams.
Sunil Gulati, former US Soccer Federation president, believes the 2026 World Cup will accelerate soccer's growth in the US.
The World Cup had record attendance of 6.8 million and high US viewership, including 38.937 million for the final.
Gulati compares the US to India, where cricket dominates, and says soccer faces similar challenges.
Hydration breaks and expensive tickets were FIFA directives, not US-specific ideas.
Major League Soccer (MLS) has improved since its start in 1993, with Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami being a big boost.
- Who
- Sunil Gulati, former president of the United States Soccer Federation
- What
- Discussion on the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on US soccer
- When
- After the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Where
- United States, Canada, and Mexico
- Why
- To analyze the growth and challenges of soccer in the US
US Soccer Growth Optimists
US Soccer Skeptics
Future of Soccer in the US
US Soccer Growth Optimists
The World Cup's success will accelerate soccer's growth in the US, with younger generations driving the sport forward.
US Soccer Skeptics
Despite the World Cup's success, the US men's national team's poor performance and the dominance of other sports may hinder soccer's growth.
- Sunil Gulati
- Former president of the United States Soccer Federation and economics professor at Columbia University
- 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico with a record attendance of 6.8 million
- US Viewership
- 38.937 million viewers for the final, peaking at 51.685 million
- Hydration Breaks
- Introduced as a FIFA directive, not a US-specific idea
- Ticket Prices
- High-profile events like the World Cup have always had expensive tickets in the US
- Major League Soccer (MLS)
- Started in 1993, now robust with Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami