World Cup 2026: Are Americans excited about the World Cup?

There were huge cheers in New York City, where some fans stood in their cars, while in Santa Monica the buzz could be heard from bars. But it was not for a World Cup match. It was for the New York Knicks' epic comeback - the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history - against the San Antonio Spurs. It shows how the most popular tournament in global football is competing in America as the country's national team prepares to play against Paraguay. Football - or soccer - doesn't get the same love in America as sports like basketball and American football, and a recent survey showed that half of Americans are not interested in the tournament at the moment. Due to the recent political issues and expensive tickets, how much enthusiasm is there for this tournament?

"I don't care about anything but the Knicks"

This is the second time the US has hosted the Men's World Cup, the first being in 1994. That tournament had a significant and long-lasting impact on the culture of football in the country, increasing its popularity and paving the way for the establishment of Major League Soccer. But fast forward three decades to the present day and enthusiasm for the return of the World Cup to American destinations still doesn't seem to be growing.

In New York, if you look carefully, this amazing tournament is about to begin. Subway trains are associated with the colors of the country's team. A huge billboard with Lionel Messi's face is in Times Square and outside New York fans travel in shirts of Moroccan and Brazilian stars, who will meet on Saturday in the first World Cup match at MetLife Stadium - the New York New Jersey stadium named for the tournament. But right now New Yorkers have their hearts set on basketball. The New York Knicks lead the NBA Finals 3-1 against the San Antonio Spurs and will win their first national championship since 1973 if they win on Saturday. "You've seen Batman, haven't you? You've seen Gotham, haven't you? Man, if the Knicks win it's going to be a very different Saturday night," one fan told BBC Sport. "The truth is, I don't care about the World Cup. I don't care about anything other than the Knicks."

Another fan, wearing a royal blue and orange Knicks shirt, said: "I don't know much about soccer to be honest."

"Enthusiasm is slowly building"

In Los Angeles - where hosts USA will play two of their three group matches - it's a similar story in terms of World Cup promotion. On the way out of the Los Angeles airport, there are banners promoting "LA26" and the tournament, while electronic billboards show the faces of various members of the US team and a large statue in downtown LA is related to the World Cup of Lionel Messi. Some convenience stores also have World Cup merchandise for sale. However, being a non-football lover it is very easy to assume that the tournament is about to start. "There's a World Cup going on? Who's playing?" a taxi driver wondered while driving to colleagues from the BBC World Service. But the organizers hope that enthusiasm will increase as the tournament progresses.

"I think we've had a slow wave of excitement that's now turning into a frenzy," said Larry Friedman, co-chair of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee. "It's a long time and with so many other sports and activities, people are thinking about tomorrow, not two or three years from now. But now that it's about to start, people are getting very excited. We have a very different atmosphere here and teams of people from all over the world are participating in this tournament." As for the fans, the excitement is definitely growing for those living in the city, where they will enjoy the matches of their country's sports, even though they are not avid football lovers. In Santa Monica, Isaiah and Hasna — both from Sacramento County — were excited about the tournament experience. "I'm very excited," Izaiah told BBC Sport. "I've never seen the World Cup but I will this year. It will be very exciting to be here in LA." Hasna said: "A lot of people don't know about the World Cup here but now it's in LA and it's a popular place, they will find out and watch." Both admitted they don't know who the US is playing against in their opening match.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the young Americans - who didn't get to experience the tournament during the 1994 World Cup - seemed excited for the World Cup. One fan, Mahon, said: "We have watch parties, so we're really excited about it. We have some friends who aren't very interested in soccer but we're explaining to them that we're Team America - the glory of the country. I think it's surpassed the popularity of baseball here but I don't think it's going to be as big as American football or basketball. People will be into it."

"I don't think anyone knows the World Cup is going on"

ਸਕਾਟਲੈਂਡ 30 ਸਾਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਕੱਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਾਪਸ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਫੈਰ Boston ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸ ਹਫਤੇ ਆਏ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਪੱਧਰ 'ਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਾਪਸੀ ਦੇ ਮੌਕੇ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਉਤਸ਼ਾਹਿਤ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਮੈਚ ਹੈ ਹੈਟੀ ਖਿਲਾਫ, ਪਰ ਟਾਰਟਨ ਆਰਮੀ ਦੇ ਕੁਝ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਅਮਰੀਕੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਮਿਲਣ ਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਅਣਜਾਣ ਰਿਹਾ। "ਮੈਂ 10 ਮਿੰਟ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਤੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਪਤ੍ਰ ਪੋਸਟ ਕੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ ਕਿ ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਛੁੱਟੀਆਂ 'ਤੇ ਹਾਂ," ਇੱਕ ਸਕਾਟਿਸ਼ ਫੈਨ ਨੇ ਬੀਬੀਸੀ ਸਕਟਲੈਂਡ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਿਆ "ਮੈਂ ਸਕਾਟਲੈਂਡ ਦੀ ਟੋਪੀ ਪਹਿਨੀ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ। ਉਸਨੇ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਕਿ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਕੱਪ ਚੱਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।" ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਸਮਰਥਕ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ: "ਪਬਾਂ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੋਚਦਾ ਕਿ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਕੱਪ ਚੱਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।"

The problem in terms of prices of domestic fans

A major problem for both US locals and foreigners is the cost of tickets. In America's opening match day, tickets were still available for the match, but the cheapest tickets were going for $1,120 (£836), which put many fans - especially families - out. In downtown LA, a family of four, Chris, Angie, Lela and Lauren, said they were thrilled to have World Cup football in their home area. "We have two girls who are in club soccer, so we're big fans," Chris said. "Unfortunately, we will see at home. The price and availability of tickets is another matter."

"If it was cheaper for families, we'd definitely know," said Brennan, who was with his wife Erica and children Stephanie and Marcel. "Despite that, we'll still be excited and watch it at home."

How well the U.S. national team does will also play a role in generating audience interest — the longer they stay at the tournament, the greater the excitement. The excitement is building as America's opening match approaches and earlier this week, 30,000 fans registered their interest for 5,000 tickets. Different methods have been used to try to reach different audiences and recently American multinational owner Tillman was on the cover of a fashion magazine wearing a hat with a long brim. "This has been sent to the group chat a few times ... there are some suspicious pictures!" America and Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards said. Partner Merc McKenzie said: "At the end of the day it's all about exposure. I'm always ready to express myself in different ways." If these methods work and reach a different audience, it could have a long-term impact on the sport in America, as it did in 1994.