Soccer's US Momentum May Stick After World Cup

The recent FIFA World Cup has seen a surge in interest for soccer in America, according to Google Trends. The term 'soccer' reached an all-time high during the tournament, with search interest increasing by nearly six months before kickoff and showing little sign of slowing down.

A look back at 20 years of Google searches reveals that previous World Cups have had a similar pattern. The peak interest in soccer always occurs during the tournament itself, but it quickly drops off after four to eight weeks. Within six months, search activity returns to pre-tournament levels.

This time around, some believe that the 2026 World Cup could be different. With the US hosting the event and many fans discovering their love for soccer, there is a possibility that this momentum will last beyond the tournament.