U.S. Soccer CEO: Winning World Cup Bid Will Boost Sport's Status in North America
*By Christian Smith*
Young American soccer fans feeling left out of the World Cup excitement this year have a new ambition, as FIFA voted Wednesday to hold the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
"Now the 12-year-old to the 25-year-old has the opportunity to know that if they play at the highest level and make their National Team, they'll have an opportunity to actually play in a World Cup on their home soil," the former U.S. forward and three-time World Cup veteran Brian McBride said in an interview with Cheddar. "There's no better experience than walking out on that field with your badge, the crest on you, and know you're representing your country."
The prospect of contending for soccer's quadrennial championship on home soil in eight years provides some consolation for missing out on the 2018 tournament in Russia, and it may signal the start of U.S. Soccer's international comeback.
The last time the World Cup was played in the United States, in 1994, it catapulted the national team's success and the popularity of the sport. The success of that tournament helped launch Major League Soccer, the country's professional soccer league.
The opportunity to host another World Cup, this time with neighbors Mexico and Canada, represents a rare chance for U.S. Soccer to grow the sport for the second time in a generation.
"I think the real key day in all of this is the day after the 2026 World Cup, what does our industry look like," said Dan Flynn, CEO of the U.S. Soccer Federation. He added that the World Cup creates new revenue opportunities for all three federations, and that money can be invested in developing better, more competitive players.
American soccer isn't the only thing growing. The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32. They will play a total of 80 games, with 60 of them scheduled for the United States. As part of their bid, the three North American nations pledged the tournament would generate $11 billion in revenue. The three federations could make as much as $50 million each, based on estimates.
Diplomatic disputes ー including President Trump' executive order barring most visitors from several Muslim-majority countries ー raised concerns among some countries about the North American bid, but Flynn said it was never a real issue.
"People want to talk about that and bring it into play, but the reality was this was about our sport," Flynn said. "I think it's a really good example of where our sport is really a sport that can bring people together."
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/u-s-wins-joint-bid-to-host-world-cup-in-2026).
In late January, NFT company Candy Digital cashed in when a Shohei Ohtani Icon NFT sold for $100,000, breaking the six-figure sale price mark for MLB NFTs for the first time. Scott Lawin, CEO of Candy Digital, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he explains why his company is very excited about the future of digital collectibles and how the Ohtani NFT sale shows consumer confidence in the marketplace.
The Bengals have been to the Super Bowl twice, but never managed to take the title. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval joins Cheddar News to discuss what the win could mean for the city.
The Winter Olympics are in full swing and athletes from around the globe are showcasing their elite skills at a wide variety of events. There's a lot of excitement but also a lot of pressure for these athletes. Former NFL defensive tackle and Super Bowl champion Dominique Easley joined Cheddar News to weigh in.
American freestyle skier Jaelin Kauf joins Cheddar News to talk about taking home the silver medal in the Women's Moguls Final at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Cheddar's Big Game Special gives you all the info you need heading into Sunday's event. Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, Big Game MVP Hines Ward, and Big Game Champion Emmanuel Sanders dissect the action set to take place on the field, Olivia Harlan Dekker delivers her winning wagers, Tom Morton breaks down what we should expect from advertisers, Azia Celestino showcases the atmosphere from Los Angeles, and Baker Machado discusses what viewers should expect to see unfold during the halftime show.
NFL Legends Hines Ward and Terrell Davis join Cheddar Bets to break down their thoughts on The Big Game, what it takes to win under the spotlight, and the matchup between some of the league's brightest stars.
Sponsored by BetMGM
As the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams prep to face each other in the Big Game at SoFi Stadium in LA, 55 percent of a record number of bettors are projected to drop money on the Rams. Casey Clark, the senior vice president of strategic communications for the American Gaming Association, joined Cheddar News to share some data and predictions based on the greater interest in gambling on Super Bowl LVI. "You know that means that people are migrating away from the predatory illegal market and corner bookie and moving their action into the legal marketplace," he said. "So really encouraging for consumer protections and for those of us who might want to have a little action on the game."
Bills WR Emmanuel Sanders joins Cheddar Bets to discuss The Big Game, playing in some legendary games, and what the NFL needs to change about their rules.
Sponsored by BetMGM
Under Armour released a successful Q4 earnings report amid supply chain issues. The apparel company said it invested in analytics to decipher what drives consumers to its brand. However, the company warned of potential supply problems going forward due to COVID.
