Former U.S. Men's National Team defender Marcelo Balboa said playing in the 1994 FIFA World Cup helped grow soccer's popularity in the U.S. [1].
As the United States prepares to co-host the tournament again in 2026 [2], Balboa's perspective highlights the long-term cultural shift the sport has undergone on American soil. His experience serves as a bridge between the early era of U.S. soccer and the modern globalized game.
Balboa, who played in three World Cups [2], said the experience of competing in the 1994 event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He said that the visibility of the tournament was a primary driver for the sport's expansion. "Playing in front of a home crowd in 1994 was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience that helped grow the game in this country," Balboa said.
The former Colorado Rapids player recalled the atmosphere of the event and the reaction of the younger generation. He said it was amazing to see the stadiums fill, and the kids get excited about soccer [1].
Hosting the tournament in 1994 [1] marked a pivotal moment for the sport, transitioning it from a niche interest to a mainstream pursuit. Balboa said that the domestic hosting of the event created an accessibility and excitement that would have been impossible to achieve through televised matches alone.
With the 2026 tournament approaching [2], the legacy of the 1994 event provides a blueprint for how hosting can catalyze interest. Balboa's reflections emphasize that the physical presence of world-class athletes in U.S. cities creates a lasting impression on the youth and the general public.
“Playing in front of a home crowd in 1994 was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience that helped grow the game in this country.”
The reflection on the 1994 World Cup underscores the 'hosting effect,' where the physical presence of a global sporting event accelerates domestic infrastructure and fan engagement. As the U.S. prepares for 2026, the precedent set in 1994 suggests that the upcoming tournament could further institutionalize soccer in the American sports landscape, moving it beyond a growth phase into a permanent pillar of the national sports market.
