America's soccer boom is building ahead of the World Cup
By Ashley Mahoney
Published on May 9, 2026.
The FIFA World Cup is set to begin on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The event is seen as a significant increase in American soccer interest, with 37% of people expecting their interest to increase over the next 18 months, according to Nielsen data. Major League Soccer, the nation's top men's league, began play in 1996 and currently has 30 teams. The National Women's Soccer League has announced expansion teams in Atlanta and Columbus, bringing the league to 18 teams by 2028. There are now several professional leagues for both men and women, and more people playing the game overall.
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