
The 2026 World Cup Cemented Soccer’s Place in American Life
The tournament’s soaring ratings, sold‑out stadiums and vibrant fan cultures have turned soccer from an outsider into a mainstream pillar of U.S. sports.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Andrés Martinez across Soccer.

The tournament’s soaring ratings, sold‑out stadiums and vibrant fan cultures have turned soccer from an outsider into a mainstream pillar of U.S. sports.

Nearly 63 million viewers tuned in for the Spain‑Argentina final, a record for Spanish‑language soccer broadcasts, sparking debate over the sport’s rising influence in the United States.

Three craft breweries from Mexico, the United States and Canada have created a World Cup-themed ale called Common Ground, using a unified recipe that each nation adapts locally, while navigating trade tensions and a shifting political climate.

As the United States prepares to co‑host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a leading scholar examines the nation’s late embrace of soccer, the impact of the women’s team, and the growing commercial stakes that are reshaping the global game.