US soccer: Will Americans ever care about football? - BBC News

Summary

Mariana explores the enduring popularity of American football over soccer in the United States. Despite soccer's global appeal, American football has dominated due to its early introduction, commercial opportunities, and dramatic gameplay. The script highlights the financial and cultural impact of American football, the contrast with soccer's slower growth, and the potential for soccer to gain traction, especially with the U.S., Mexico, and Canada's joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

Takeaways

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮 Soccer, known as football in most of the world, has a rich history that began in England in 1863 with the establishment of the laws of association football.
• 🌍 The sport spread globally due to European colonialism, gaining popularity in South America, Africa, and Asia, but not in the United States where rugby and later American football became dominant.
• 🇺🇸 American football, which evolved from rugby, is more lucrative and culturally ingrained in the U.S., generating an estimated thirteen billion dollars a year compared to soccer's six hundred million.
• 📺 American football's commercial appeal is bolstered by frequent breaks for commercials, timeouts, and halftime shows, which provide advertisers with ample opportunities.
• 🏈 The physicality and spectacle of American football, including dramatic plays, tight pants, lights, and halftime shows, contribute to its popularity and distinguish it from soccer.
• ⚽️ Despite soccer's global success, it has struggled to break into the American mainstream, with the U.S. men's team's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup being a significant setback.
• 👶 Youth soccer is massive in the United States, with over 3 million children participating, indicating a potential future growth in the sport's popularity.
• 🏆 The U.S. women's soccer team has been extremely successful, winning the World Cup three times, and some of their top players have been signed by European clubs.
• 🤕 A recent study showing a high prevalence of a brain disease among NFL players due to head injuries might make soccer a more attractive option for American audiences.
• 🎉 The joint bid by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to host the 2026 World Cup presents a golden opportunity to boost soccer's profile and popularity in the United States.

Q & A

What is the origin of association football as mentioned in the script?

The origin of association football is attributed to a group of men who formalized the laws of the game over a drink in England in 1863.

How did football spread from England to other parts of the world?

Football spread across the English Channel to the Netherlands, France, and beyond, evolving as it traveled, largely due to European colonialism.

Why did soccer not gain popularity in the United States as it did in other countries?

Soccer did not gain popularity in the United States because it was overshadowed by rugby, which was introduced to the US in 1857 and quickly adopted by colleges.

How has rugby football evolved in the United States over time?

Rugby football evolved into American football, which has become a sport distinct from its English origins, with modifications to the rules and a significant cultural impact.

What is the economic impact of American football compared to soccer in the United States?

American football generates an estimated thirteen billion dollars a year, while soccer generates around six hundred million dollars.

Why is American football more advertiser-friendly according to the script?

American football is more advertiser-friendly due to its numerous breaks and timeouts which provide commercial opportunities.

What was the significance of the US men's team's performance in the 2014 World Cup?

The US men's team's performance in the 2014 World Cup sparked a wave of soccer fever in the US, suggesting a potential breakthrough for the sport's mainstream popularity.

What was the setback for soccer's growth in the United States as mentioned in the script?

The US men's team's failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 32 years was a significant setback for soccer's growth in the country.

What is the current state of youth soccer in the United States?

Youth soccer is massive in the United States, with over 3 million children participating in teams.

How has the US women's soccer team contributed to the sport's popularity?

The US women's soccer team has been extremely successful, winning the World Cup three times, and some of their top players have been signed by European clubs.

What is a potential factor that could help soccer gain more popularity in the United States?

A potential factor that could help soccer gain more popularity is the growing concern over the long-term health effects of American football, such as the discovery of a disease in the brains of many NFL players due to head injuries.

What opportunity does the 2026 World Cup present for soccer in the United States?

The 2026 World Cup presents a golden opportunity for soccer in the US, as the country, along with Mexico and Canada, has entered a joint bid to host the event.