The Rise of American Football: A New Era for the Beautiful Game?
As the clock ticks down to the start of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada, the sport of football is on the cusp of a major breakthrough in America. The country that brought us gridiron football, after all, is finally embracing its own brand of soccer - or as President Donald Trump would have it, football.
The numbers are telling: Premier League viewing has increased by 13 percent over the past three years, with a whopping 12 matches this season pulling in over one million viewers. The growth trajectory is undeniable, and LaLiga, the Spanish top-flight league, is keen to capitalize on this momentum by scheduling official games across the Atlantic.
But it's not just about TV ratings or box office numbers. American influence is seeping into the very fabric of the sport, with owners like Rob Reynolds and Rob Mac at Wrexham FC, Tom Brady at Birmingham City, JJ Watt at Burnley FC, and Snoop Dogg at Swansea City making waves in European football.
As Chicago Fire sporting director Gregg Broughton puts it, "What America can do is put on a show. It will really engage the spectators here in the United States and really help drive a new generation of spectators here within America." And what better way to put on a show than by hosting the World Cup?
The tournament's iconic Times Square takeover for the third-place play-off and final matches promises to be a spectacle unlike any other. The buzz around this summer's showpiece is palpable, with fans eagerly anticipating a star-studded lineup that includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar Jr.
But beyond the glamour and glitz of the tournament itself, there are deeper trends at play that suggest America is poised to have a profound impact on the global game. The Premier League's shift towards a calendar aligned with European seasons, for example, marks a significant departure from MLS's traditional mid-season pause.
And then there's the influence American owners will bring to bear on their respective clubs - influences that could shape everything from player transfers and budgets to promotion and relegation systems. It's not hard to imagine a future where Americanized football becomes the norm in Europe.
As Trump himself quipped, "When you look at what's happened to football in the United States... soccer in the United States... When you think about it, shouldn't it really be called [football]? I mean, this is football. We have to come up with another name for the NFL stuff."
In a world where the beautiful game is increasingly globalized and interconnected, the Americanization of football could be the catalyst that takes the sport to new heights. Whether you're a fan of the World Cup or simply a lover of the beautiful game, one thing is certain: the future of football has never looked brighter.
Written by: Flexx Von Protein | The Citizen Edition
“You're crushed, and I'm awesome.”