USA Men Chase First World Cup Quarterfinal Since 2002 After 2-0 Bosnia Win

Q: The 1994 World Cup created MLS. What lasting legacy will the 2026 tournament leave for soccer in America?

The 2026 World Cup’s lasting legacy in America is likely to be scale, not creation: it should make soccer more mainstream, deepen the player pipeline, and push MLS closer to global standards. In 1994, the big legacy was MLS itself. In 2026, the league already exists, so the bigger test is whether the tournament converts a month of attention into durable fandom. That case is stronger than in past cycles. MLS is drawing younger fans than other major U.S. men’s leagues, viewership and attendance have risen, and a deep U.S. run under Mauricio Pochettino gives the sport the kind of national moment John Harkes says can “wake up a nation.” The professional legacy may be structural. MLS is weighing a move to a more globally aligned calendar in 2027, a shift Commissioner Don Garber has described as historic. If the World Cup delivers strong ratings, sponsorship and momentum, it could help MLS improve its transfer-market position, attract better talent and raise its international standing rather than merely survive. The deeper legacy may come below the top level. U.S. Soccer’s broader youth overhaul, expanded MLS academies, and programs such as “Yes, Coach!” aim to train 100,000 youth mentors by 2030 and make coaching more development-focused and accessible. That speaks directly to Harkes’ argument that the sport grows when coaches build players and people, not just winners. If 1994 built the house, 2026 could make soccer a permanent part of mainstream American sports culture.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 6

Monday’s match against Belgium can send the United States into the World Cup quarterfinals, which would make it one of the final eight on home soil.
A 2-0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina set up that chance, keeping the Americans on their deepest tournament run since 2002.
John Harkes, a starter on the 1994 U.S. team, said another home World Cup breakthrough could again lift soccer’s profile nationally, calling this tournament a “full-circle moment.”
Harkes linked the current surge in attention to a broader push to grow the game in the U.S., including better youth coaching and mentorship as more American players compete abroad.