A Unexpected Advocate
Rob Gronkowski, the larger‑than‑life former NFL tight end, has turned his attention to the growing world of soccer, publicly throwing his support behind the United States men’s national team as it prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Though his knowledge of the sport is still evolving, Gronkowski says he is fascinated by the athletes’ combination of speed, endurance and technical skill, noting that the fitness levels on display rival those of any professional football player.
The 2026 tournament, which will be hosted across three North American nations, places the U.S. in a challenging Group F alongside Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. Gronkowski has set a realistic target for the squad: advancing past the group stage to the Round of 16, an achievement he describes as a major milestone for American soccer.
Gronkowski’s endorsement comes as part of a broader push to broaden the sport’s appeal in a country where football, basketball and baseball have traditionally dominated the athletic landscape. He joins a list of high‑profile athletes, including Jameis Winston, Christian Pulisic and Landon Donovan, who have voiced similar enthusiasm for the World Cup’s potential to spark new interest.
While acknowledging that soccer’s nuances are still foreign to him, Gronkowski emphasizes the importance of the event as a cultural bridge, giving American fans a chance to experience a global tournament that has long been a fixture in other parts of the world.
The former NFL star, who remains active in media through partnerships with Fox News and the streaming platform Tubi, sees his involvement as a way to lend his voice to a sport he believes will only grow in prominence on U.S. soil.
His optimism reflects a broader shift: as more former professionals from other sports explore soccer, the conversation around the game’s future in America continues to gain traction, promising a new generation of fans and participants.