As the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup across 11 cities, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expresses confidence that this event will accelerate the growth of soccer in the country. Infantino remarks, “What is seen outside of the United States is that, of course, in America, other sports are more important than soccer, which is the most important sport all over the world and every other country virtually. But the two World Cups — the one this summer with the clubs and with the countries next year — we will change this fundamentally.”

Infantino believes more needs to be done to establish soccer as the top sport in the U.S. He states, “You are the United States of America, the greatest country in the world. You cannot be satisfied with being No. 20 in the No. 1 sport in the world; you want to be No. 1, so let’s go for it.”

He shares that the U.S. should consider increased investment into the sport, citing the broad reach of the World Cup compared to events like the Super Bowl. Infantino’s optimism extends to the development accomplishments seen in U.S. soccer, particularly with MLS and its academies, praising the performance of coach Mauricio Pochettino and the players that have emerged from the program.

“Combine this with the fact that a World Cup is going to be played at home, well, that’s a pretty explosive combination, isn’t it?”

FOX Sports is designated as the official English-language broadcaster for the upcoming World Cup.