Bad World Cup verdict says tournament was more dangerous than 1994, ‘It’s really sad’
For the most part, the 2026 World Cup is widely regarded as a resounding success.
The expanded 48-team tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and while there were initial concerns about the cost of expensive tickets for fans, the state-of-the-art stadiums proved to be packed.
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The World Cup fever was rampant in all countries, especially at the beginning of the tournament, mainly due to the success of the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino in reaching the Round of 16.
This appeared to translate into viewership numbers being smashed compared to previous tournaments, with FOX Sports’ $485 million gamble to acquire English-language broadcast rights paying out tenfold.
The growing popularity of soccer in the United States, at least on the face of it, has led former US Soccer president Alan Rothenberg to say that he expects soccer to ‘rocket’ past the NBA, MLB and NHL in the next decade, if not already.
“It’s not going to happen overnight,” Rothenberg said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of interest from the streaming services, and the broadcasters, to follow the football.
“There has been a steady growth of soccer at all levels, especially at the MLS level and the NWSL level, continuously. I think within ten years, it will be clear that soccer will be number 2.”
Brassell believes the 2026 World Cup has ‘forbidden’ fans
But talkSPORT’s Andy Brassell isn’t so sure.
On Sunday’s World Cup Weekend with Kev Hatchard & Andy Brassell, he discussed his belief that the 1994 World Cup held in America did more to grow the country’s game than the 2026 edition.
His reasoning for this is largely due to the cost of attending ‘illegal’ games.
“If you talk to long-time American football fans, that’s it [1994 World Cup] it was a moment that broke the glass ceiling,” said Brassell. “A big part of that was that it was affordable and accessible to people who wanted to hear it for the first time.
“I think in terms of going to see these games, the fact that they’re so expensive has made the first experience for a lot of people very difficult. And I think that’s really sad.
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“I feel that the US already has a strong soccer community.
“When people talk about taking US soccer to the next level, what they’re really saying is, ‘Here’s a commercial market – a huge commercial market – for the sport and we feel like we can plunder it and exploit it little by little.’
“It’s not really about growing the game. So, when FIFA and our partners say, ‘This is our plan to take US soccer to the next level’, it doesn’t mean that, I don’t think so.
“And it hasn’t really fixed any problems with the production of US players. The tournament shouldn’t do that, that’s a US Soccer thing, but I have mixed feelings about what it means on a community level, for sure.”
Fans can be prioritized
Although most of the venues used in this World Cup appear to be full, Hatchard and Brassell commented on the number of supporters, some of whom may not even be football fans, in the crowds.
This is just part of another reason why Brassell believes the 2026 World Cup may not help grow the game across the pond as much as some might expect.
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“Ultimately, the fans are more important than most football officials would have you believe, because the fans create the atmosphere,” continued Brassell.
“They elevate something in the game and make it a spectacle. Even if you’re watching the game on TV, it makes a big difference.”
One team that stands out this time around is defending champion and finalist Argentina, who are preparing to face Spain – in their first final since 2010 – for world title honors at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“When we talk about the finalists tonight, Argentina is the exception that proves this rule, because it’s really not just about the cult of Messi. It’s about Argentina and their love. [fans] bring it,” added Brassell.
“When you go to Argentina’s match in the World Cup, the atmosphere that accompanies it reminds you of what is missing in many other sports.
“That’s a direct result of the fact that it’s very expensive to enter, which makes the game less democratic and less inclusive.”
Even the supposed ‘Americanization’ of the sport, and the authorized three-minute break considered for the sake of the ‘welfare of the players’ – although some say it is just another money for FIFA to make more money from advertisements – may give the soccer player the big boost he expects to see after the tournament.
All ideas seem to lead to the same conclusion – money comes first, regardless of the true fans of this beautiful game.
This ultimately begs the question – how can FIFA expect the game to grow if it is not willing to change its approach?
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