Stephen A. Smith believes soccer is ready for its moment in the American spotlight as the United States men's national team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With the tournament heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico , and the USMNT looking to make a statement on home soil, the momentum feels different this time.
It is a rare window for soccer to break through the American sports noise, and Smith is clearly buying into the idea that this World Cup could be a turning point.
Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage
Speaking on First Take , Smith made it clear he plans to be part of the World Cup atmosphere himself.
"I do believe in the word that you just said, I can't wait. I plan on attending several games, to be quite honest with you. … It's USA all day. We got to support our home team," Smith said.
That is a notable stance because Smith is one of ESPN's loudest mainstream voices, and his enthusiasm reflects the wider opportunity soccer has in 2026.
The United States is not just hosting games. It is hosting the kind of global event that can pull casual fans into the sport for a month.
FIFA's 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico, creating the biggest World Cup stage the region has ever seen.
Smith's excitement also came with the question that will define the tournament for American fans.
"But how plausible is it that Team USA is going to make some noise? I'm talking about the roster. I'm talking about the expectations," Smith added.
That is where the conversation gets serious. Mauricio Pochettino has named his 26-player World Cup roster, with Christian Pulisic , Weston McKennie , Tyler Adams , Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna among the key names carrying expectations.
The roster has real talent, but there are still questions. Recent reporting has pointed to midfield depth concerns, especially around how much the team can depend on Adams' fitness and availability.
That makes Smith's point fair. Soccer can become the "sport of the now" in America for a summer, but the USMNT's job is to make that attention last by turning home-field energy into a real World Cup run.
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