US Soccer Aims to Make National Teams America’s Favorites Ahead of Major Tournaments
US Soccer chief executive JT Batson has ambitious plans for the men’s and women’s national teams, aiming for them to become America’s favorite sports teams. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Batson highlighted the importance of mass popularity for Mauricio Pochettino’s and Emma Hayes’s squads as part of US Soccer’s goals leading up to the summer’s men’s World Cup. Currently, the US women’s national team ranks 14th in popularity, while the USMNT sits at 43rd according to a YouGov tracker. The women’s team achieved a ranking of fifth after winning Olympic gold at Paris 2024, and the men’s team was 11th shortly after Pochettino’s hiring. Batson expressed optimism that a successful World Cup campaign, particularly with the USWNT as favorites for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, could significantly enhance their visibility. Key Goals: - Make soccer the most popular participation sport in the US. - Propel both national teams into the top ranks of American sports. - Develop grassroots programs to ensure accessibility and growth. Despite recent defeats to Portugal (2-0) and Belgium (5-2), the attendance of 72,297 at the match against Portugal marked a record for US Soccer. Batson remains optimistic, citing revenue projections of $300 million for the year, partly due to partnerships with major brands like Nike and Coca-Cola. Batson is focused on ensuring soccer is accessible for all, aiming to establish clear pathways from recreational play to professional levels. He believes that a successful summer for the national teams could catalyze a broader cultural embrace of soccer in America, making it a sport for everyone, regardless of age or background. As the teams prepare for upcoming tournaments, Batson emphasizes the importance of fan belief and pride, stating, "Success will be, ‘do the fans believe? Are they proud?" This reflects the high expectations for the teams as they strive to represent the hopes and dreams of the nation.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-06