SFIA data shows that soccer participation in the United States has reached an all-time high as the country prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the “Soccer Spotlight” report released ahead of the tournament organized by FIFA, outdoor soccer participation in the U.S. rose to 16.8 million players in 2025, a 15.8% increase year-on-year. Indoor soccer also reached a record 6.6 million participants, marking the strongest growth in 15 years of recorded data.
The report suggests that the sport’s growth is already underway, with the World Cup acting more as a catalyst for visibility than as the primary driver of participation.
“The World Cup is not the growth engine”
SFIA analysis highlights a consistent trend across recent tournaments: global events create interest, but local infrastructure and access determine whether participation actually increases.
- 2014 World Cup: search interest surged, but U.S. participation still declined
- 2018 World Cup: absence of the U.S. team led to declines in participation
- 2022 World Cup: delayed growth effect after the tournament
The upcoming 2026 edition, hosted by United States, Mexico, and Canada, is considered structurally different due to summer scheduling, home advantage, and the participation of the U.S. men’s national team.
Broad-based growth across demographics
The report shows that soccer’s expansion in the U.S. is being driven by multiple demographic groups:
- Adults aged 35–54: significant re-engagement, with participation more than doubling in some age brackets
- Hispanic players: outdoor participation rose 60.4% since 2022
- Women: participation increased 65.5% since 2018, narrowing the gender gap
SFIA notes that women now represent nearly 40% of all outdoor soccer players in the U.S., supported by the visibility of the United States women’s national soccer team and the growth of professional women’s leagues.
Structural shift rather than tournament effect
Analysts conclude that the surge reflects a deeper structural shift rather than a World Cup-driven spike. Increased access to facilities, stronger youth participation history, and growing professional leagues are identified as the main drivers of long-term growth.
The 2026 World Cup is therefore expected to amplify an already expanding market, rather than initiate it.