World Cup 2026: How US football has evolved since hosting the 1994 event

Author: Frank Dell’Apa\
Published on: 09/05/2026 | 00:00:00

AI Summary:\
Football has gained a foothold in the United States, and the country seems ready to host the World Cup this summer. Back then, the US had no professional league and the national team was cobbled together with ex-collegians, journeymen, and semi-professionals. Recommended Stories list 1 of 4Iran’s football team shows World Cup readiness with social media posts list 2 of 4No FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast deals signed in India. US Soccer Federation, commonly referred to as US Soccer, sanctions 127 professional teams – 102 men’s and 25 women’s. Commercial interest in soccer and soccer leagues is at an all-time high. Over the following decades, several professional leagues collapsed and after the North American Soccer League folded in 1984, there appeared to be little future for the game. The 1994 World Cup came and went, and, in 1996, MLS finally kicked off. The San Jose Clash edged DC United 1-0, as Eric Wynalda scored an 88th-minute goal. This novel method of deciding games ended in 2000. Football-specific stadiums started springing up in 1999. Most are offered the league’s minimum annual salary ($80,622) only two US players were listed last year among the top 40 highest-paid, according to the MLS Players Association. Wynalda favours introducing promotion/relegation as a solution. MLS teams have tended to struggle in CONCACAF competitions. Lalas predicts the US will harness the “magic” of being hosts to reach the quarterfinals. Gulati expects the sport to continue to grow in the US after the World Cup. “That is what the legacy of the tournament is about and why we bid,” Gulati said.


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