1994 World Cup in the US draws record crowds and proves a success

9 articles · Updated · NPR · May 9

The tournament succeeded despite widespread doubts because football was far from mainstream in the United States before the event.
Its strong attendance helped turn the competition into a landmark moment for the sport in the US.
The report frames the 1994 finals as evidence that a major global football event could thrive in an uncertain American market.

How did a nation once indifferent to soccer host the most attended World Cup ever, and what was the secret?

Is the 2026 World Cup's high-price strategy betraying the fan-first legacy that made the 1994 tournament a historic success?