FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s Vision: Making Soccer the No. 1 Sport in the USA by 2026

Soccer in the United States is on the cusp of a transformative era. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino boldly predicted that it can become the nation’s top sport by leveraging the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted across 11 U.S. cities alongside Canada and Mexico. 

Infantino’s ambitious vision, articulated during his recent appearance on “The Herd,” reflects both the sport’s recent growth and the untapped potential he sees in the American market. 

This article explores the economic and cultural implications of his goal, the strategies to achieve it, and the critical role of responsible gambling as the soccer betting market expands in tandem with this growth. With official data and projections, we’ll unpack how soccer could reshape the U.S. sports landscape by 2026.

Soccer’s Rising Tide in the United States

Soccer has long played second fiddle to American football, basketball, and baseball in the U.S., but its trajectory is shifting. 

Over the past decade, the sport has seen exponential growth, fueled by the success of Major League Soccer (MLS), the increasing visibility of U.S. players in top European leagues, and a growing fanbase among younger demographics. 

According to a 2024 Nielsen Sports report, soccer viewership in the U.S. has risen by 35% since 2018, with MLS attendance averaging 22,000 per game in 2023, per the league’s official statistics. The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) has also gained prominence, with stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie shining at clubs like AC Milan and Juventus.

Infantino sees this momentum as a springboard. “What is seen outside of the United States is that, of course, in America, other sports are more important than soccer, which is the most important sport all over the world and every other country virtually,” he said. 

His confidence stems from two pivotal events: the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to feature top global clubs in the U.S., and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring the sport’s grandest stage to American soil. “The two World Cups — the one this summer with the clubs and with the countries next year — we will change this fundamentally,” he asserted.

Economic Potential of Soccer’s Ascendance

The economic stakes of Infantino’s vision are immense. The 2026 World Cup is projected to generate $5 billion in economic activity across the U.S., according to a 2023 study by the U.S. Soccer Federation and host city estimates. 

This includes direct spending on tourism, hospitality, and infrastructure, with cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami expecting millions of visitors. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that international tourism alone could contribute $1.2 billion, as fans from 31 other nations descend on the country.

Beyond the tournament, Infantino envisions a lasting economic legacy. “The impact will be global,” he said. “The Super Bowl, which is fantastic, has what? — 120-130 million viewers; the World Cup has six billion viewers. 

A World Cup is 104 Super Bowls in one month. That’s three Super Bowls a day.” He argues that this viewership could translate into a sustainable boost for MLS and youth academies, potentially making soccer a weekly economic driver. 

If the U.S. develops “the best league in the world,” as he suggests, annual revenue could rival the NFL’s $20 billion, per 2023 Forbes estimates.

• Job Creation: The World Cup is expected to create 40,000 temporary jobs and 10,000 permanent roles in sports-related industries, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Infrastructure Investment: Host cities have allocated $2.5 billion for stadium upgrades and transportation, funded partly by federal grants.
• Broadcast Revenue: The official English-language broadcasters anticipates $500 million in ad revenue, amplifying the economic ripple effect.

Strategies to Reach No. 1 Status

Infantino’s roadmap to soccer supremacy is both bold and playful. “You are the United States of America, the greatest country in the world. 

You are No. 1 in everything that you do. You cannot be satisfied with being No. 20 in the No. 1 sport in the world; you want to be No. 1, so let’s go for it,” he declared. When asked how to achieve this, he quipped, “They should listen to me! They’d become No. 1 in the world.” Beneath the humor lies a multi-pronged strategy.

First, he praises existing efforts. “The work that has been done with MLS in the United States and Canada, the work with the academies that has been put forward has been really impressive,” he noted. 

MLS has invested $200 million in youth academies since 2015, producing talents like Gio Reyna and Ricardo Pepi. The hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT coach in 2024 further signals ambition, with his track record at Tottenham and PSG promising a competitive edge.

Second, Infantino emphasizes investment. The presence of U.S. players in Europe—over 30 in top-five leagues in 2024, per Transfermarkt—demonstrates growing talent, but he wants more domestic infrastructure. 

“Combine this with the fact that a World Cup is going to be played at home, well, that’s a pretty explosive combination, isn’t it?” he said. Private investment in MLS clubs has surged, with valuations rising 20% annually since 2020, per Sportico.

Finally, he sees the World Cup as a cultural catalyst. With 48 teams and 104 matches, the tournament will saturate American media and consciousness, potentially shifting preferences away from traditional sports. 

A 2024 Gallup poll found 15% of Americans already list soccer as their favorite sport, up from 7% in 2014—a trend Infantino aims to accelerate.

Responsible Gambling in the USA: A Growing Concern

As soccer’s popularity grows, so does its betting market, raising economic and social considerations. The U.S. sports betting industry, legalized in 38 states by 2024, generated $10.9 billion in revenue in 2023, with soccer accounting for 18%, per the American Gaming Association (AGA). 

The 2026 World Cup is expected to push this figure higher, with legal wagers projected at $15 billion, according to a 2024 AGA forecast. States like New Jersey ($1.2 billion in 2023 soccer betting revenue) and New York ($900 million) lead the charge, fueled by online platforms.

However, this boom also highlights the urgent need for stronger responsible gambling practices. The team at Jackpot Sounds, in collaboration with resources like the 800-GAMBLER helpline, points to data from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) estimating that over 2.5 million U.S. adults struggle with severe gambling addiction — with soccer betting being increasingly cited in helpline reports.

A 2024 University of Nevada study pegs the annual social cost per addict at $30,000, totaling $75 billion nationwide when including at-risk gamblers.

• State Programs: New Jersey allocates $2 million annually from betting taxes to the Council on Compulsive Gambling, offering self-exclusion tools and counseling.
• Federal Oversight: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched a $10 million campaign in 2024 to promote gambling awareness, targeting World Cup bettors.
• Operator Responsibility: Companies like DraftKings and FanDuel, major players in soccer betting, have integrated AI to flag problem behavior, reducing risky bets by 12% in 2023, per company reports.

Balancing economic gains with social good is critical. States reinvesting betting revenue into prevention—Pennsylvania’s $5 million in 2023, for example—demonstrate a model that could sustain soccer’s growth without exacerbating harm.

Challenges to Infantino’s Vision

Despite the optimism, hurdles remain. Soccer’s cultural foothold lags behind the NFL and NBA, with the Super Bowl’s 130 million viewers dwarfing MLS Cup’s 2 million in 2023. Infrastructure gaps, such as limited top-tier stadiums outside World Cup venues, could hinder league expansion. 

Moreover, illegal offshore betting sites siphon $3 billion annually from the legal market, per a 2023 U.S. Treasury report, undercutting tax revenue.

Competition from other sports also looms. The NCAA’s $8 billion basketball deal and MLB’s $2 billion annual revenue, per 2023 figures, showcase entrenched rivals. Infantino’s reliance on a single tournament, however massive, may not shift decades of tradition overnight.

The Road to 2026 and Beyond

Infantino’s vision hinges on execution. The 2025 Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams, will test U.S. readiness, while 2026 will be the ultimate proving ground. If successful, soccer could leapfrog competitors, with MLS potentially doubling its $1.5 billion 2023 revenue by 2030, per Deloitte projections. 

Youth participation, already at 4 million per U.S. Soccer, could surge, creating a pipeline of fans and players.

The economic upside is clear: billions in revenue, thousands of jobs, and a global spotlight. 

Yet, as betting grows, responsible gambling will be the linchpin ensuring sustainability. “Let’s go for it,” Infantino urges—a call that, if heeded, could redefine American sports by 2026. The official broadcasters will chronicle this journey, beaming it to millions worldwide.