NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said she expects the United States to see “explosive” growth in interest in soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The United States will co-host the 2026 Men's World Cup with Mexico and Canada and aim to host the 2027 Women's World Cup with Mexico, while Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami CF in July has sparked widespread interest. on the sport.
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Speaking to reporters at the Financial Times' Business of Football summit in London, Berman said: “We know that in the United States, in the next four to six years, there will be explosive growth, with or without the intentional investment that we are making.” . We're doing… With the World Cup coming up in 2026 and the possibility of the Women's World Cup coming in 2027, there's an incredible amount of interest.
“There's an old question: When will the United States start paying attention to this global sport? Well, it's already happened. They're paying attention, they love this sport, and we have this halo effect of the US women's national team and their incredible successes.
“[Soccer] It is one of the few sports where when you ask 100% [of the] “People in America close their eyes and imagine 'greatness, football and America' and think about women.”
The 2024 NWSL season is scheduled to begin on March 16, with the Kansas City Current hosting the Portland Thorns in the league opener.
In November, the NWSL announced a new four-year media rights deal to partner with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports in 2024.
Berman, who has served nearly two years as the league's commissioner, said the NWSL's “superpower” was its “independence,” especially from men's clubs and leagues, which is not the case in Europe.
It was a sentiment echoed by Washington Spirit, Lyon and London City Lionesses owner Michelle Kang, who spoke earlier at the conference and said a multi-club ownership model was perhaps the only way forward for women's clubs.
