Soccer has more fans worldwide than any other sport, yet it’s more associated with places like Europe and Africa than with North America, where other team games have a firmer foothold. That perception is changing over time, and at the moment, major shake-ups are giving soccer much more momentum in this part of the planet. Here’s an overview of the major talking points and how they’re impacting the sport’s trajectory in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The Wonders of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
A continent-spanning soccer tournament is always going to dominate the conversation, and that’s certainly happening with the 2026 World Cup, with venues across North America playing host to teams from all corners of the globe.
The US national side has particularly heavy expectations to meet and, so far, has acquitted itself well in the opening stages of the tournament. The presence of head coach Mauricio Pochettino is the biggest story, with the Argentine titan bringing a much-needed dose of South American passion and flair to bear on a team with a lot to prove.
Meanwhile, Canada’s team is participating in a World Cup for only the third time, and local fans are throwing their support behind them in all sorts of ways, like carrying out soccer betting here to back the side with hard cash. There’s far less pressure on Canada to go far in the tournament, so it’s more about the fun and excitement of being able to compete on the world stage.
Mexico has arguably the biggest hill to climb at the 2026 World Cup, as the historical regional powerhouse that’s fallen from its former heights of success. The country needs to make a statement with its performances in the tournament, and so far, its story is leading in the right direction.
The Maturing of MLS
Major League Soccer’s transition from a little-followed afterthought to a widely supported league is the second storyline playing out in North American soccer at the moment. Part of its ascent has been powered by the Apple TV deal, which ensures national access to games rather than locking them behind regional broadcasting deals. But more than that, the arrival of Lionel Messi at Miami CF is the real difference-maker, both in terms of viewership of the games themselves and the commercial clout of MLS as a whole.
To capitalize on the global spotlight, MLS owners have steadily adapted financial rules, giving clubs more flexibility to sign elite international talent and depth pieces, pushing the product on the field closer to traditional European standards. It’s this leveling up, as much as the short-term impact of the World Cup, that will have a positive influence over how North America’s soccer ecosystem develops going forward.
At this point, even the power of Liga MX is under pressure, and there’s an argument to be had over whether it’s still the region’s best place to see soccer. Healthy competition like this can only be good for the game, so fans will reap the rewards.
