local
Soccer fans are into this year's World Cup, but the US still isn't a soccer nation, new poll finds
By Linley Sanders, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 2, 2026
· 5 min read
This World Cup has given U.S. soccer fans plenty to cheer about — even if a new survey shows most Americans are still on the sidelines. New polling from Ipsos Sports, provided exclusively to The Associated Press, shows that the World Cup has excited soccer fans and piqued many Americans’ interest...
Key takeaway adults were excited about the United States making it to the knockout round of the World Cup.
Why this matters in The Pearland
In Pearland , the excitement of the World Cup is likely palpable among local soccer enthusiasts, with many cheering on the US men's national team as they advance through the tournament. The Ipsos Sports poll suggests that while soccer fans are thrilled with the team's performance, the sport still faces an uphill climb to reach mainstream popularity in the US. This is particularly relevant in Brazoria County, where sports like football and baseball tend to dominate local interest. However, with Pearland's diverse population and growing youth soccer programs, there may be an opportunity for soccer to gain more traction in the community. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see if the momentum can be sustained and translated into increased participation and interest in local soccer leagues and programs. The city's recreation centers and sports facilities may also see an uptick in demand for soccer-related activities and events.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? This World Cup has given U.S. soccer fans plenty to cheer about — even if a new survey shows most Americans are still on the sidelines. New polling from Ipsos Sports, provided exclusively to The Associated Press, shows that the World Cup has excited soccer fans and piqued many Americans’ interest...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Linley Sanders, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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