As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, US Soccer has announced a sweeping and ambitious legacy plan designed to fundamentally transform the sport's landscape across the United States. The strategy, a stark contrast to the 1994 tournament's legacy, aims to use the global event as a catalyst for growth from the grassroots to the professional level.
Building a Foundation for the Future
The landscape for the 2026 World Cup is markedly different from the last time the US hosted in 1994. This time the tournament is hosted by three nations, with the United States joined by Mexico and Canada. Crucially, the financial windfall will go directly to FIFA, which is running the tournament, rather than a local organising committee.
This shift makes proactive legacy planning essential. The not-for-profit US Soccer Federation is therefore undertaking sprawling projects to boost the game. Its ultimate aim is to spread the sport at the youth level through school and community programmes, expand fundraising efforts, and position the U.S. professional leagues and national teams for sustained future success.
CEO JT Batson acknowledges the challenge but is confident. "We already have this massive engine that is people who love soccer in this country, and the infrastructure of our professional leagues and clubs, and all the youth soccer across the country," he said. "That's a really powerful group that if organised and supported, can do some pretty incredible things."
The 'Soccer Forward' Initiative in Action
At the heart of this effort is 'Soccer Forward', the federation's legacy project announced last year, which has now started to roll out. With the motto "Soccer Everywhere for Everyone," the initiative has several key pillars:
- Promoting expanded soccer programmes in schools, addressing the statistic that one in four US schools have no sports programmes.
- Bringing mini-pitches into communities where soccer currently has a small footprint.
- Supporting community-led, grassroots efforts to grow the game.
The project goes beyond sport, incorporating health and charity. In October 2025, the Kansas City Current partnered with Soccer Forward for an event at the Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy. More than 100 girls took part in small-sided games and programming focused on women's health, while also packaging hygiene kits for women in need.
A major boost for equity came from a $25 million donation from Michele Kang, owner of the NWSL's Washington Spirit and European clubs Lyon and the London City Lionesses. These funds are dedicated to growing the women's game through targeted research and innovation.
Funding the Dream
To achieve these lofty goals, substantial funding is required. US Soccer has launched the 'Behind the Dream' campaign, which aims to raise $250 million and capitalise on World Cup excitement.
This fundraising push is critical. Unlike many nations where government entities like Sport England provide funding, sports federations in the United States are non-profit organisations. The emphasis on fundraising over the past two years has already yielded results. After expenses exceeded revenues in 2023, the federation's financial health improved dramatically.
For the 2025 fiscal year, U.S. Soccer took in $257.4 million in revenue, a 36% increase over 2024, driven by fundraising and sponsorship deals ahead of the World Cup.
Batson stated, "U.S. Soccer is in a fortunate position by virtue of our financial growth to be able to invest in our soccer strategies at unimaginable levels, even five years ago." The newly hired Chief Operating Officer, former Deloitte executive Dan Helfrich, will help oversee this overarching strategy, named 'In Service to Soccer'.
Helfrich emphasised the responsibility, saying, "It is our responsibility to drive lasting legacy from hosting the World Cup. We believe that we will have national holistic impact that comes from this World Cup, not just sporadic impact limited to a few communities or cities."
This comprehensive plan represents a fundamental shift in philosophy for US Soccer, positioning itself as a servant to the sport nationwide, with the 2026 World Cup acting as its springboard.
