Don’t blame the nation. The FIFA own goal in having the USA host World Cup 2026.

I have been watching the World Cup since 1982. In my youth I followed my English club team nationwide, a little team not a glory team. I remember a little of Argentina ‘78 but too young to say I watched it. The World Cup is the pinnacle of football, and should be respected as such by the hosts and I fear here in America it doesn’t command that level of acknowledgment.

The game is the peoples game, and no doubt in Mexico it is exactly that. Can the same be said for the USA or Canada, I don’t think so.

I live in a host city, no one cares. It’s not the peoples game in the USA or in Canada. It’s not even called football here, how disrespectful is that? It’s a true world sport, and it’s not like being world champions winning the World Series or Super Bowl, this game the world plays, it’s a great leveler for all.

Because of that I just don’t feel the home nations, aside Mexico, are connected to the passion, the identity and pride of a national team at this level of competition, in this sport. Americans aren’t interested in sport unless they are winning or have a chance of wining, and here they don’t. Canada same to maybe a lesser extent.

I do appreciate there are some very knowledgeable, die hard football fans in North America. People who understand the game, are knowledgeable and are fully involved emotionally, spiritually in it as much as any Latin American or European supporter. No doubt about it. However “soccer” is a marginal sport here. It has a label of a middle class, white picket fence sport, and soccer moms and mini vans is the visual of that. Primarily Football in America is seen differently when compared to the rest of the world.

Please note this is an opinion on the men’s game and this World Cup. I acknowledge that the Women’s game in the USA is a great success and leads the way in that section of the sport, that’s not the discussion here.

With that noted, the Men’s game isn’t mature enough to be appreciated by the masses in the USA and Canada and for that reason the World Cup shouldn’t be here. As is the American way it’s all about money, something FIFA have gladly jumped on. The tournament has been priced for corporate hospitality not real supporters. Because of that, the usual excitement and anticipation has been worn away. You can’t feel excitement for something you can’t be part of.

FIFA and CAF are responsible for that because they see the USA as a cash cow. Yes the tournament must be sustainable, profitable of course. But it should not be at the expense of the culture, world culture of the game the engagement of the true fans and the celebration of all who are here.

FIFA has scored a massive own goal selecting the tournament to be here. The stadiums are great, but they have no atmosphere without a person in a booth playing music and fake cheering. This isn’t America’s game, and until the sport matures here it doesn’t belong here yet.

I hope the football is amazing, time will tell but I for one look forward to the greatest game on earth being played where it’s appreciated again.