The United States has long produced some of the biggest names in sports, from Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali to Michael Jordan, Serena Williams and Tom Brady. But in soccer, the most famous figures to play in America have often been imported from abroad. As the largest Men’s World Cup begins across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament will give American fans a rare chance to see the sport’s biggest international stars up close.
The expanded World Cup features 48 teams, double the number that played when the United States last hosted the Men’s World Cup in 1994. It comes at a moment when soccer’s popularity in the country continues to grow, even as Major League Soccer still lacks the kind of globally dominant American-born star that can compete with the biggest names in Europe’s top leagues. For many fans, watching elite soccer in the U.S. has meant watching foreign talent.
That trend has helped shape the history of the sport in America. Pelé’s arrival with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s was a turning point, bringing unprecedented attention, record crowds and new television audiences to soccer in the United States. His fame was so immense that even casual sports fans knew his name, and his presence helped give the game legitimacy in a country better known for baseball, boxing and football.
Two decades later, David Beckham’s move to the Los Angeles Galaxy helped transform Major League Soccer again. Beckham arrived as a global celebrity with trophies from Manchester United and Real Madrid, along with worldwide fame beyond the field. His signing drew intense media attention and brought new visibility to the league. He later became even more deeply tied to American soccer as a founder and owner of Inter Miami.
Now Lionel Messi has become the latest foreign-born superstar to elevate the sport in the United States. Widely considered one of the greatest players in soccer history, Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after a legendary run with Barcelona and a World Cup win with Argentina. His arrival produced an immediate commercial and cultural boost, driving merchandise sales, media interest and record attention for Major League Soccer. His presence has helped position the league as part of the global sports conversation.
As the World Cup unfolds, American audiences will see other internationally renowned players such as Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz. For many viewers, the tournament will be more than a competition for a title. It will be a showcase of the global stars who have shaped soccer’s rise in the United States and continue to define its future.
