The World Cup will begin in less than a month, but in the United States, Americans have not fully embraced the event yet. A report from the streets of New York.
A month might seem far away, especially in a country where the most popular sports involve an orange ball (basketball), an oval ball (American football), or a tiny ball (baseball). The football World Cup will kick off on June 11th, and America has not completely shifted its focus to soccer, known as football in the United States. In the country’s major cities, signs of the upcoming global event are still subtle.
In New York, in the bustling Times Square area, giant screens are showcasing the Knicks’ basketball exploits as they compete for a championship title in the coming weeks. At the Pelé Soccer Store, a hub for soccer-related products in the Big Apple, the excitement is more subdued.
“I imagined there would be more enthusiasm, especially so close to the start of the World Cup,” admits Bradley, the store manager, sporting a French team jersey. “For the past two or three days, we’ve noticed more interest, but overall, we are still far from it. We Americans live in the moment and tend to do things last minute.”
In this hidden boutique on the ground floor of a historic building in the city, jerseys of France and Argentina, the last two finalists, are flying off the shelves. Down the road on 7th Avenue, Jabri works at Lids, a popular chain of stores specializing in hats, caps, and sports accessories.
“Tickets cost thousands of dollars,” Jabri explains. “Soccer has not completely taken off here in the United States yet. People are interested from a distance. We know the main players, and we will watch the matches when they are on, but for now, we prefer to follow the sports and teams we usually support.”
Football, however, is experiencing significant growth in the United States; it is the most played sport among children under ten. Teens and young adults are most captivated by the World Cup, but the high ticket prices and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement around the stadiums have deterred many Americans.
“Des travaux dans une boutique spécialisée” – Jabri working in a specialized boutique. The majority of cities hosting games are planning to set up fan zones. The New York City government has announced the creation of 50 mini-football fields across the city to bring the event to the streets of the metropolis in a physical way.
A study conducted in March stated that 75% of Americans plan to follow the 2026 World Cup in some way. However, in detail, only 26% say they want to watch “a lot” of matches. A majority intends to follow the competition through clips, social media, or highlights rather than full matches. Nevertheless, 37% of Americans believe their interest in soccer will increase with the World Cup being hosted in their country.
– Context note: The article discusses the readiness and interest of Americans towards the upcoming FIFA World Cup. – Fact Check note: The information provided in the article is based on observations and a study conducted prior to the World Cup.
