Seattle's Soccer Legacy and the 2026 World Cup
Seattle's love affair with soccer stretches back to the 1970s, when the original Seattle Sounders entered the North American Soccer League and set attendance records that still stand as a benchmark for American soccer crowds.
Although the NASL folded in 1983, the city’s soccer culture did not fade; instead it migrated through semi‑professional leagues and amateur clubs, keeping the sport alive in local parks and youth fields.
In 2009 the franchise was reborn as Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer, quickly becoming one of the league’s most successful teams, capturing multiple U.S. Open Cups, MLS Cups and the CONCACAF Champions League.
The Seattle Reign, a women’s professional side that joined the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013, has featured international stars such as Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo and has secured several NWSL Shields, further cementing the region’s reputation for elite play.
Beyond the professional ranks, Seattle’s diverse population, robust youth soccer programs and a passionate supporter culture have created an ecosystem where the game is woven into the city’s identity, making it a natural choice to host six 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, including group‑stage and knockout‑round fixtures.