FIFA President Infantino Predicts Soccer Will Become No. 1 Sport in USA Within Five Years

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has predicted that soccer will become the number one sport in the United States within the next three to five years, emphasizing that this is a top priority for FIFA. He highlighted the potential of Major League Soccer (MLS) to evolve into one of the strongest and most competitive leagues globally, especially with structural changes such as the introduction of promotion and relegation, a system common in European leagues but currently absent in American soccer. Infantino also criticized the 'pay to play' youth soccer system in the U.S., calling it a barrier to accessibility and growth. Recent data supports soccer's rising popularity, with 14 percent of Americans watching the sport and soccer ranking as the fourth most-attended sport in 2024. The success stories, like that of Wrexham FC, illustrate the excitement promotion and relegation can bring by allowing smaller teams to compete and succeed against bigger clubs. Overall, these initiatives and FIFA's continued investment in hosting major events like the 2026 World Cup are expected to drive a significant surge in soccer's popularity and competitiveness in the U.S.