Member of 1994 USA World Cup team knows how much soccer can grow if this year’s team keeps up its success
John Harkes participated in the 1994 World Cup when the United States hosted the tournament. That team's success in reaching the knockout rounds corresponded with a significant surge in the sport's domestic popularity. Now, Harkes suggests the current iteration of the national team has similar potential to advance the sport's standing if they achieve comparable on-field success.
The 2026 tournament presents an immediate opportunity for the American squad, which faces Belgium in a Round of 16 fixture on home soil. Progressing past this match would advance them to the quarterfinals, marking their deepest World Cup run in more than two decades. The result could carry implications beyond the sport, as the success of American teams in international tournaments has historically influenced soccer's cultural trajectory in the country.
- Former 1994 World Cup player John Harkes believes this year's USA team can elevate soccer's popularity if they perform well
- Team USA plays Belgium Monday in a Round of 16 match; a win reaches the quarterfinals, their best showing since 2002
- The 1994 team's knockout-stage success corresponded with major growth in American soccer's cultural prominence