To non soccer fans, do you believe you will or are open to the possibility of becoming more interested in the sport during or after WC 26?

[sam_gordon]

Do you listen to any soccer podcasts? They help understand that concept.

No. And you're missing my point.

 

[Buzz Rules]

No. And you're missing my point.

I understand your point. It was just a suggestion for the future. Nothing more.

 

[SnowBeast]

This whole thread sums up the corrupt decisions of FIFA. The World Cup (and Football in general) is the most watched sport on Earth and absolutely dwarfs any other sport in terms of viewing figures. Common sense would be to allow countries to host the World Cup who have massive support and already have the stadiums etc to host the competition rather than try to ram a sport down the throat of a country where it isn’t even supported like Quatar and USA. The whole idea of USA hosting the World Cup is a joke, it like having the Super Bowl in England where absolutely nobody would care two hoots.

This isn’t meant to be offensive to Americans, it’s just clear that you guys have your own sports and the rest of the world have ours, so not sure why FIFA want to waste a tournament on USA that the rest of the planet are desperate to host.

 

[Buzz Rules]

This whole thread sums up the corrupt decisions of FIFA. The World Cup (and Football in general) is the most watched sport on Earth and absolutely dwarfs any other sport in terms of viewing figures. Common sense would be to allow countries to host the World Cup who have massive support and already have the stadiums etc to host the competition rather than try to ram a sport down the throat of a country where it isn’t even supported like Quatar and USA. The whole idea of USA hosting the World Cup is a joke, it like having the Super Bowl in England where absolutely nobody would care two hoots.

This isn’t meant to be offensive to Americans, it’s just clear that you guys have your own sports and the rest of the world have ours, so not sure why FIFA want to waste a tournament on USA that the rest of the planet are desperate to host.

I find total offense to this comment. We are one of the best ranked teams in the world. MLS was created because of the 1994 world cup. USL and MLS are successful and the fandom is growing. It's the 5th or 4th biggest sport in the country. The last time we hosted, we were one of the most financially stable and lucrative. Your comment is truly EUROPEAN aragance on the sport. UEFA is more corrupt than Concacaf and that is saying something. This thread shows not every American follows the sport, sure, but millions here do. Kids play it more than any other sport. How much do you understand our soccer culture????

 

[Buzz Rules]

This whole thread sums up the corrupt decisions of FIFA. The World Cup (and Football in general) is the most watched sport on Earth and absolutely dwarfs any other sport in terms of viewing figures. Common sense would be to allow countries to host the World Cup who have massive support and already have the stadiums etc to host the competition rather than try to ram a sport down the throat of a country where it isn’t even supported like Quatar and USA. The whole idea of USA hosting the World Cup is a joke, it like having the Super Bowl in England where absolutely nobody would care two hoots.

This isn’t meant to be offensive to Americans, it’s just clear that you guys have your own sports and the rest of the world have ours, so not sure why FIFA want to waste a tournament on USA that the rest of the planet are desperate to host.

NFL games in Europe sellout by the way.

 

[Buzz Rules]

This whole thread sums up the corrupt decisions of FIFA. The World Cup (and Football in general) is the most watched sport on Earth and absolutely dwarfs any other sport in terms of viewing figures. Common sense would be to allow countries to host the World Cup who have massive support and already have the stadiums etc to host the competition rather than try to ram a sport down the throat of a country where it isn’t even supported like Quatar and USA. The whole idea of USA hosting the World Cup is a joke, it like having the Super Bowl in England where absolutely nobody would care two hoots.

This isn’t meant to be offensive to Americans, it’s just clear that you guys have your own sports and the rest of the world have ours, so not sure why FIFA want to waste a tournament on USA that the rest of the planet are desperate to host.

We have dedicated soccer channels and multiple well respected journalists and podcasts as well.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I look forward to your response @SnowBeast . ️ 🏟

 

[SnowBeast]

I look forward to your response @SnowBeast . ️ 🏟

Buzz, sorry but I just don’t see the love for football in the US to warrant hosting a World Cup IMHO. I understand the argument that FIFA are trying to spread the game to the rest of the world but to me it’s more about which country will make them more cash than who genuinely wants it more. I don’t want to offend you, it’s difficult to say things in a post without tone etc, but its just my opinion.

I’m not suggesting it won’t be a well hosted tournament in US, it will have plenty of money thrown at it and I’m sure it will be great, but I just question FIFAs motives around the selection process.

Just to add to this, I don’t like this new way that they want to spread the tournament between multiple nations. The World Cup has always be hosted in one country but by spreading it out between multiple countries, it just spoils the feeling for me. It should be held in one country at a time. It’s all just about how much money can we make.

And please if we have to endure some Super Bowl half time show (which is being reported over here as a possibility) then than will be a total disgrace.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I feel like a lurker in this thread since I DO like soccer and I do closely watch the men's and women's world cup. I absolutely commend Buzz for starting the soccer threads, especially knowing there are many who have no interest and probably never will. To those people I can only recommend watching Welcome to Wrexham on Hulu. There's nothing quite like the passion of the fans in Great Britain and it is nothing short of a miracle what Rob and Ryan have done with that team.

I have to ask the question - what, if anything, can be done to bring that sort of passion to the US? As much as I like the game, I don't think it can be done. The game at the youth level is such a mess. IMHO, you can't get the vast majority of kids to play past about 10 because they know a dead end when they see it. Those that continue on do so in expensive club teams - and that's an even bigger mess. What makes it worse is the parents that make fools of themselves by yelling at the referees and "joysticking" their kids. BTAIM, I really think it is vital that the MLS draw from the NCAA the same way the NFL and NBA do. Both need to be strong in order for the professional game, and ultimately the National team, to thrive.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Buzz, sorry but I just don’t see the love for football in the US to warrant hosting a World Cup IMHO. I understand the argument that FIFA are trying to spread the game to the rest of the world but to me it’s more about which country will make them more cash than who genuinely wants it more. I don’t want to offend you, it’s difficult to say things in a post without tone etc, but its just my opinion.

I’m not suggesting it won’t be a well hosted tournament in US, it will have plenty of money thrown at it and I’m sure it will be great, but I just question FIFAs motives around the selection process.

We have alot of passion for the sport. Have you watched our leagues before? Have you seen our soccer media before? Our watch parties? Our supporter groups? Our youth leagues, academies, and high school and college programs? We have a new national training center being built in Atlanta that will rival St. George's Park.

Just to add to this, I don’t like this new way that they want to spread the tournament between multiple nations. The World Cup has always be hosted in one country but by spreading it out between multiple countries, it just spoils the feeling for me. It should be held in one country at a time. It’s all just about how much money can we make.

It's about keeping costs down.

And please if we have to endure some Super Bowl half time show (which is being reported over here as a possibility) then than will be a total disgrace.

I agree, but I think opening and closing ceremonies and fanfest concerts can be viewed the same way.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I feel like a lurker in this thread since I DO like soccer and I do closely watch the men's and women's world cup. I absolutely commend Buzz for starting the soccer threads, especially knowing there are many who have no interest and probably never will. To those people I can only recommend watching Welcome to Wrexham on Hulu. There's nothing quite like the passion of the fans in Great Britain and it is nothing short of a miracle what Rob and Ryan have done with that team.

Have you watched your local pro team before (in person or on tv)? The passion is there and is growing. It's just on a slower trajectory than soccer fans would like.

I have to ask the question - what, if anything, can be done to bring that sort of passion to the US? As much as I like the game, I don't think it can be done. The game at the youth level is such a mess. IMHO, you can't get the vast majority of kids to play past about 10 because they know a dead end when they see it. Those that continue on do so in expensive club teams - and that's an even bigger mess. What makes it worse is the parents that make fools of themselves by yelling at the referees and "joysticking" their kids. BTAIM, I really think it is vital that the MLS draw from the NCAA the same way the NFL and NBA do. Both need to be strong in order for the professional game, and ultimately the National team, to thrive.

We have a college draft but the academies are more vital at this time. College soccer is looking to change to a longer schedule with the NCAA currently in discussions with D1 and maybe with D2 and D3. MLS, USL and the USSF are trying to get kids more involved through community efforts and camps and USL (minor league soccer) is going to introduce promotion and relegation. The system has flaws (pay to play is the big issue) but it is slowly being fixed.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Buzz, sorry but I just don’t see the love for football in the US to warrant hosting a World Cup IMHO. I understand the argument that FIFA are trying to spread the game to the rest of the world but to me it’s more about which country will make them more cash than who genuinely wants it more. I don’t want to offend you, it’s difficult to say things in a post without tone etc, but its just my opinion.

I’m not suggesting it won’t be a well hosted tournament in US, it will have plenty of money thrown at it and I’m sure it will be great, but I just question FIFAs motives around the selection process.

Just to add to this, I don’t like this new way that they want to spread the tournament between multiple nations. The World Cup has always be hosted in one country but by spreading it out between multiple countries, it just spoils the feeling for me. It should be held in one country at a time. It’s all just about how much money can we make.

And please if we have to endure some Super Bowl half time show (which is being reported over here as a possibility) then than will be a total disgrace.

Example 1:

Example 2:

 

[Buzz Rules]

Example 3

I'll show more examples if needed @SnowBeast .

 

[sam_gordon]

The game at the youth level is such a mess. IMHO, you can't get the vast majority of kids to play past about 10 because they know a dead end when they see it. Those that continue on do so in expensive club teams - and that's an even bigger mess. What makes it worse is the parents that make fools of themselves by yelling at the referees and "joysticking" their kids.

I want to break these statements out. I don't think kids are dropping out of soccer because they see it as a "dead end". First, what does that even mean? Second, do other countries have so many other "extra curricular" activities? I just looked out our local parks & rec page. In addition to soccer, baseball, football, and basketball all have options starting at age 5. Heck, I didn't know it, but there's also swimming and Track & Field team. To say nothing about those kids interested in music or theater. And we don't even live in a city.

Age 10 is also around the time sports becomes more competitive and it's becomes difficult (not impossible) to focus (not just play) on more than one sport. I know DD#1 played rec soccer until about age 9, then decided she didn't want to run as much and switched to softball.

You also have the case where those kids who have been playing a sport for 5 years are going to be SO head and shoulders above those just starting, it's discourages the "newbies". That's true in any sport though.

As far as the "expensive club teams". Again, happens in just about every sport. The coaches cost more money, the equipment costs more money, there's more travel, tournaments cost more to enter, officials cost more, etc. My understanding is in other countries, the local "professional" team subsidizes the youth teams. There's not enough local professional teams (yet), at least not enough that make a lot of money to do that in the US.

And it's the same with parents. Soccer doesn't have a monopoly on outrageous parent behavior. It's all over YT. Basketball, Football, Baseball, and Softball all have parents yelling at refs and "joysticking" their kids.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I want to break these statements out. I don't think kids are dropping out of soccer because they see it as a "dead end". First, what does that even mean? Second, do other countries have so many other "extra curricular" activities? I just looked out our local parks & rec page. In addition to soccer, baseball, football, and basketball all have options starting at age 5. Heck, I didn't know it, but there's also swimming and Track & Field team. To say nothing about those kids interested in music or theater. And we don't even live in a city.

Age 10 is also around the time sports becomes more competitive and it's becomes difficult (not impossible) to focus (not just play) on more than one sport. I know DD#1 played rec soccer until about age 9, then decided she didn't want to run as much and switched to softball.

A major difference is that soccer is the favorite sport in Europe. They have rugby, cricket, tennis and other sports that Americans also play but specifically to soccer, they do not have a true pay to play system. Their college system is different too as they do not have college sports or sports scholarships. Alot of funding for sports comes the governments. Most sports are privately funded here. You can also clearly see this with our Olympic team's funding compared to the rest of the world who rely on government funding primarily.

You also have the case where those kids who have been playing a sport for 5 years are going to be SO head and shoulders above those just starting, it's discourages the "newbies". That's true in any sport though.

As far as the "expensive club teams". Again, happens in just about every sport. The coaches cost more money, the equipment costs more money, there's more travel, tournaments cost more to enter, officials cost more, etc. My understanding is in other countries, the local "professional" team subsidizes the youth teams. There's not enough local professional teams (yet), at least not enough that make a lot of money to do that in the US.

And it's the same with parents. Soccer doesn't have a monopoly on outrageous parent behavior. It's all over YT. Basketball, Football, Baseball, and Softball all have parents yelling at refs and "joysticking" their kids.

There is a difference in mentality. In the USA as Jurgan Klinsmann basically said (I'm paraphrasing) "the goal of American parents in sports is having their kids not become professional player but get a college scholarship. In Europe, you dedicate everything at a young age to make it as a professional". In America we have participation trophies. In Europe, they don't do that at all. Participation trophies are one thing that has to go (unless it's a special circumstance).

 

[sam_gordon]

In America we have participation trophies. In Europe, they don't do that at all. Participation trophies are one thing that has to go (unless it's a special circumstance).

I am sick and tired about the *****ing about participation trophies. "Oh, it doesn't make kids appreciate 'winning'" Sorry, BS. If a parent makes a big deal out of their kid getting a trophy, then ok, fine. But even putting it on display, it's a memento, a memory. Kids know whether they've won a championship or not. All it says is "you played soccer (or baseball or football or basketball or whatever" in Spring of 2025. Big whoop.

And again, this is not specific to soccer. All the other sports do it too. So no, participation trophies are NOT the reason kids don't continue in soccer.

We are now finally getting to the point where parents have participated in soccer in their youth and are passing on their love of the game to their kids. And it's still not persuasive. "Back in the day", parents had participated in basketball, baseball, and possibly football. Weekends were spent watching the favorite college or NFL teams. That love of a sport/team translates down to kids.

I have more I'd like to say, but have to leave it at this for right now.

 

[mom2rtk]

No

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://www.jerseywatch.com/blog/youth-sports-statistics

https://www.forsoccer.com/insight/soccer-participation-in-the-united-states/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soccer_in_the_United_States

https://ussoccerfoundation.org/stor...cipation-numbers-its-time-for-some-good-news/

 

[Buzz Rules]

So in your opinion @SnowBeast , should the World Cup only be hosted in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina? Because that is what you are essentially saying.

 

[Buzz Rules]

For the record @SnowBeast , I'm not attacking you. I'm just trying to get some clarity on your stances.