The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to kick off today. The former United States soccer star Landon Donovan believes the tournament could leave a lasting impact on the sport in the country. As the United States hosts matches alongside Canada and Mexico, Donovan expects millions of young fans to be inspired by the event. He feels the excitement generated by the competition could encourage a new generation of children to take up soccer and dream of playing at the highest level.Donovan shared his thoughts ahead of the tournament and reflected on how a previous World Cup changed his own life. The former forward recalled attending a match during the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States when he was just a child. That experience helped spark his passion for soccer. It eventually led him to become one of the most successful players in American soccer history. He now believes the 2026 edition could have a similar influence on young fans across the country.
Landon Donovan sees long-term impact of home World Cup
Speaking about his childhood experience to TMZ, Landon Donovan explained that attending a World Cup match in 1994 opened his eyes to a much larger soccer culture. Before that day, he mainly knew the game through casual play in local parks. Watching international teams compete at a packed stadium introduced him to a level of passion and quality he had never seen before.He remembered watching Argentina face Romania at the Rose Bowl and said the occasion showed him a completely different side of the sport. According to Donovan, that experience helped him understand how important soccer was around the world and motivated him to pursue the game more seriously.The American soccer legend believes the same effect could be seen in 2026. He said many young fans will watch current United States stars such as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie and imagine themselves following a similar path. Donovan added that the World Cup naturally inspires children wherever it is held, but hosting the tournament at home makes the connection even stronger and more personal.Donovan also spoke about Pulisic’s place in U.S. soccer history. While discussing whether the 27-year-old could eventually be considered the greatest player to represent the national team, Donovan acknowledged that the debate remains open and will depend on what Pulisic achieves in the coming years.With 104 matches scheduled between June 11 and July 19, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to attract huge audiences. Donovan believes the tournament’s biggest legacy may not be measured by results on the field, but by the number of young players inspired to pursue soccer in the years ahead.
