For the last few weeks, the United States, Canada, and Mexico have hosted the 2026 Men’s World Cup, the crown jewel of competition for soccer, or, as it’s called pretty much everywhere outside the USA and Canada, football. It has been a compelling tournament, with exciting games, colorful fans, and impressive star players. I’ve watched many of the matches, and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
So, now we have to go back and discuss the “soccer in America” situation—why is it not the number one sport here as it is in most of the world, who likes it/doesn’t like it in the States and why, and so on. It’s kind of complicated.
For folks of a certain age—say generally over 50-55 in our country—you have to start with the obvious fact that we didn’t play soccer growing up; it just wasn’t a thing. I vaguely remember knowing what soccer was when I was growing up. It was something that people overseas played with a funny looking (to us) ball. We all came up playing baseball, football, and basketball, with for some, tennis, golf, and a myriad of other sports added along the way—but not soccer.
Like many my age, I started becoming familiar with soccer when my kids started playing in the late 80s. My sons took to it really well. Cooper was an excellent scorer in the city leagues, and became a certified referee for local matches while still in school. Wesley was a force in the leagues, too, as a center back and sweeper, then eventually started for Pascagoula High as a left back.
Boy, those early days for the parents were interesting and kind of comical. There were, thankfully, a handful of younger men around the town that knew the game and were willing to coach. (Example: there were a couple of Garriga brothers, including my current friend James, who knew what they were doing and led Cooper’s team to a couple of city championships.)
However, several parents had to pitch in as coaches as well, and that’s where it got a bit funny, for us as fans/supporters, too. There was a lot of reading books on soccer to try to figure out what corner kicks and throw-ins were. You also heard many shouts out at the fields of “Run!” and “Kick the ball!”. Not exactly English Premier League strategy.
I did very much enjoy watching my boys play, and did learn a thing or two about the game. Most of the slow uptake for a lot of us was, obviously, unfamiliarity and not knowing the rules. I still don’t totally understand soccer offsides, even though Coop and Wes have explained it to me numerous times.
Other typical American complaints about soccer include the lack of scoring and that all the passing is boring. Plus, you have to put up with way too much flopping (faking injuries) and sketchy officiating. There are still some of those sentiments for many of us, but I’ve softened my view on those aspects a good bit over time (except for the flopping and officiating). When played well and at a good pace, I can see why the all-time great footballer Pele ’once called soccer “the Beautiful Game”.
Over the decades< soccer has grown tremendously in popularity in the USA. Our Women’s National Team is traditionally the best side in the world, having won numerous World Cups and Olympics. Alex Morgan, Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Hope Solo, and others became global stars. Our US Men’s National Team hasn’t reached that level yet, but we’re slowly getting there—note the team’s success and the phenomenal fan support we’ve had at the recent World Cup on American soil.
Side note here: the rest of the world can push back all they want, but the fact remains that if America’s best male athletes played soccer, we’d be a power there, too. Our top guys still play the usuals—American football, baseball, basketball. Plus, to give credit, European and South American soccer is better organized with better coaching. We shall see what the future brings.
For now, I hope many of you have joined me in really appreciating this 2026 World Cup. So many of the matches (proper term versus “games”) have been riveting, with many going to extra time (overtime). Players like Norway’s Erling Haaland, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham show how tremendously skilled these athletes are. Additionally, the fan bases have been exceptional, often colorful and rowdy. Who wouldn’t like Norway’s “Row!” cheer enactment?
So, does this mean that I’m going over to soccer as my number one sport? Nah. American football will always be my favorite spectator experience, and baseball and basketball will retain their place at the top, too. As far as playing, I’m pretty sure I would have favored those plus golf and tennis even if soccer had been available back in the day.
However, soccer/football/fu’tbol absolutely has its charms. Crosses, strikes, goal keeper play, and headers can all be cool, and the strategy is often fascinating to watch. Just don’t give me a game that ends nil-nil, and I’m there.
Richard Lucas may be contacted at [email protected].
