Why Has Soccer Struggled to Take Root in North America?

Despite hosting the world’s most-watched sporting event—the FIFA World Cup—North America remains an outlier in global soccer adoption. While Europe and Latin America have deeply embedded the sport into their cultural and social fabric, the U.S. and Canada lag behind in youth participation, professional league attendance, and national team performance. Experts point to a mix of historical, economic, and structural factors that have limited soccer’s growth in the region.

The disparity is stark. According to FIFA’s 2023 Global Football Study, the U.S. ranks 35th in the world for soccer participation per capita, while Canada sits at 67th. In contrast, countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Germany—where soccer is a way of life—consistently rank in the top five. Even smaller nations like Uruguay and Iceland punch above their weight in global rankings.

Edoardo Ciampelletti, a sports historian and former FIFA consultant, argues that North America’s relationship with soccer is fundamentally different from other regions. “It’s not just about money or infrastructure,” he told Archysport. “It’s about identity. Soccer in Europe and Latin America is tied to local traditions, community spaces, and even political movements. In North America, it’s often treated as a product rather than a culture.”

Historical Roots: Why Baseball and Football Dominated

The story begins with colonization. European settlers in North America brought cricket and rugby, which evolved into baseball and American football—the sports that became deeply tied to national identity. By the early 20th century, baseball was dubbed “America’s pastime,” while football and basketball filled the void in urban centers.

Soccer, meanwhile, was initially associated with immigrant communities—particularly Irish, Italian, and Jewish groups—who played in working-class neighborhoods. However, these pockets of enthusiasm never coalesced into a national movement. “The U.S. never had a single moment where soccer became the default sport for the masses,” says John Hughson, a professor of sports history at the University of Toronto. “In England, the FA Cup final is a national holiday. In the U.S., the Super Bowl is.”

The lack of a unifying moment is critical. While the 1994 World Cup—hosted by the U.S.—brought global attention, it didn’t translate into sustained grassroots growth. Attendance at MLS games remained modest, and youth participation stagnated. “The World Cup is a spark, but it needs kindling,” says Ciampelletti. “In other countries, that kindling is already there—schools, youth leagues, and local clubs that teach kids the game from age five.”

Economic and Structural Barriers

Money has played a complicated role in soccer’s North American journey. While the U.S. has poured billions into MLS expansion, the league’s revenue model—reliant on TV deals, sponsorships, and stadium naming rights—has struggled to compete with the NFL, NBA, and MLB. In 2023, MLS generated $1.2 billion in revenue, a fraction of the NFL’s $21 billion.

The lack of a single, dominant league has also hindered growth. In Europe, top-tier clubs like Barcelona or Bayern Munich serve as cultural icons, drawing fans across generations. In the U.S., MLS teams often operate as regional brands rather than national symbols. “You can’t build a movement around a league that doesn’t feel like it belongs to the country,” says Ciampelletti.

Another key issue: the cost of playing soccer in the U.S. is prohibitive for many families. According to the Sports Business Journal, youth soccer fees in the U.S. average $1,200 per player annually—far higher than in countries like Brazil or Spain, where community-based clubs keep costs low. “Soccer in the U.S. is often a privilege, not a right,” says Hughson. “In other countries, it’s a public good.”

Cultural Differences: Why Soccer Feels Foreign

Soccer’s global appeal is rooted in its accessibility—it requires minimal equipment, can be played anywhere, and thrives on improvisation. Yet in North America, the sport has often been framed as “different” or “harder to understand.” The lack of a clear “star system” (like the NFL’s quarterback or NBA’s scorer) has also deterred casual fans.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar highlighted another cultural divide: the role of soccer in national identity. While countries like England or Spain see their national teams as extensions of their culture, the U.S. women’s team—despite their global dominance—has struggled to translate success into mainstream appeal. “The U.S. women’s team is a phenomenon, but it’s still seen as an exception, not the rule,” says Ciampelletti.

Even the way soccer is consumed differs. In Europe, fans follow their local clubs religiously, with lifelong allegiances to teams like Manchester United or Juventus. In the U.S., soccer fandom is more fluid, tied to national teams or global stars like Messi or Ronaldo. “There’s no ‘Arsenal’ culture in America,” says Hughson. “There’s no pub where you go every weekend to watch your team. That’s where the soul of the sport lives.”

The MLS Experiment: Progress or Pipe Dream?

Major League Soccer has been the primary vehicle for soccer’s growth in the U.S., with 30 teams across three divisions as of 2024. Attendance has risen steadily, reaching a record 1.5 million in 2023, but challenges remain. The league’s reliance on expansion fees—teams like Inter Miami and CF Montréal were bought by global stars—has drawn criticism for prioritizing spectacle over grassroots development.

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is seen as a potential turning point. FIFA projects the tournament will generate $4.4 billion in economic impact, with soccer officials hoping it will spark long-term interest. However, skeptics argue that past World Cups (1994, 2002) failed to deliver lasting change.

One bright spot: youth soccer participation in the U.S. has grown by 12% over the past decade, driven by programs like the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and partnerships with schools. Yet, disparities remain—only 38% of U.S. youth players are from majority-white communities, compared to 60% in Europe.

What It Would Take to Change the Game

Experts agree that meaningful progress requires systemic changes. Ciampelletti outlines three key areas:

1. Grassroots Investment: Expanding community-based soccer programs, particularly in underserved areas, to mirror models in Europe and Latin America.
2. Cultural Integration: Embedding soccer into schools and youth sports leagues as a default option, not an add-on.
3. Media and Narrative Shift: Moving away from treating soccer as a “niche” sport and instead framing it as a unifying force, similar to how the NFL markets itself.

The U.S. women’s national team has shown what’s possible when soccer is embraced at the highest levels. Their 2019 World Cup victory drew 25.4 million U.S. viewers—the largest audience for a soccer match in the country’s history. Yet, that success hasn’t translated into broader cultural shifts. “The women’s team is a proof of concept,” says Ciampelletti. “Now we need to scale it.”

Looking Ahead: The 2026 World Cup and Beyond

The 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June 11–July 19, 2026, with matches across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is the biggest opportunity yet. Organizers have pledged to make the tournament more accessible, with expanded fan zones, affordable tickets, and a focus on local communities.

However, success won’t be measured by attendance alone. The real test will be whether the tournament ignites sustained interest in youth soccer, increases TV viewership for MLS, and shifts the cultural narrative. “This isn’t just about the World Cup,” says Hughson. “It’s about whether soccer can become part of the American sports DNA.”

Key Takeaways

• Historical Lag: Soccer in North America never displaced baseball and football as the dominant sports, unlike in Europe and Latin America.
• Economic Disparities: High costs and a fragmented league structure have limited grassroots participation.
• Cultural Identity: Soccer is often seen as a “foreign” sport, lacking the deep cultural ties it has elsewhere.
• 2026 World Cup as a Test: The tournament could accelerate growth—or reveal that deeper changes are needed.

For now, North America remains an outlier in the global soccer landscape. But with the right investments and cultural shifts, the sport could yet find its footing on this continent. The question is whether the moment will arrive—or if soccer will continue to be an outsider in its own backyard.

Next Up: Follow Archysport for live updates on the 2026 World Cup host cities, MLS expansion plans, and youth soccer initiatives. Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think soccer will ever become America’s favorite sport?