PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - In 1994, the United States hosted its first-ever FIFA World Cup , and it was a historic event that many believe planted the seeds for the sport's growth in the nation. The tournament proved that the U.S. could host the world's biggest event, and it led to the creation of Major League Soccer (MLS) , a crucial step in building a professional league from the ground up.

But soccer (or football), for the most part, remained a "niche sport" that many Americans only paid semi-attention to every four years. And in June 2026, 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States will host a record 48 international teams for the FIFA World Cup.

Will this be soccer's moment in America?

Times have changed dramatically since the 1994 World Cup. Today, the sight of a Premier L

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