USMNT star Weston McKennie has explained “what’s missing” in American soccer and how the Club World Cup and Lionel Messi can help to fix that.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Two major tournaments heading to the StatesInterest building domestically & internationallyChallenge is retaining interest from supportersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The domestic game continues to grow in the United States, courtesy of MLS performers such as Inter Miami superstar Messi, while McKennie forms part of a so-called ‘Golden Generation’ at international level that includes the likes of Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Two major FIFA-sanctioned events are heading to America over the course of the next 12 months. The Club World Cup gets underway on June 14, while Messi’s Argentina will be looking to defend their World Cup crown on U.S. soil in the summer of 2026.
Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream nowDID YOU KNOW?
McKennie sees obvious benefits to hosting those events, with it important for supporters to get the live experience of watching the best in the business if interest is to be both built and retained.
GettyWHAT WESTON MCKENNIE SAID
Juventus star McKennie has told of getting two forms of World Cup in the States: “I think it’s huge,. Obviously the U.S. has taken big steps in that sense, bringing players that may be towards the end of their career, but are still very influential players – Messi, [Luis] Suarez, Jordi Alba, [Sergio] Busquets and, at the beginning of time, [David] Beckham and Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] and all these guys going over to America, and it’s bringing more popularity to the sport there.
“So, I think obviously for Americans to be able to witness games and not the time difference of having to stay up or wake up early to watch games over here, they can see it right there live and see the players that they support and teams that they support.”
