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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The United States advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, and the momentum is being felt across Tucson’s soccer community from youth leagues to the professional level.
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The Tucson Adult Soccer League has seen dozens of new players ask about joining since the tournament began, pushing registration past 1,000 players. TASL League Coordinator Chris Keeney said the growth has allowed the league to expand into older age groups, including 50-plus and 60-plus divisions.
“We’ve had all kinds of like, ‘How do I get involved? How do I get to play? Where’s a fit for me?’” Keeney said.
RSL Tucson Youth Soccer Director Billy Petty said registration growth at the youth level has been building since the U.S. was awarded hosting rights in 2018.
“Our numbers are up probably 212% from about 800 kids to about roughly 2,400 and change,” Petty said.
Petty added the current tournament has continued to accelerate that trend, with the biggest gains coming at the youngest age groups over the past month.
“Our numbers are definitely up, and it’s the younger ages where parents are getting their kids involved in this game,” Petty said.
The participation surge is also translating into revenue. Keeney said TASL has seen a spike in sponsorships along with registration growth.
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“We’ve got partnerships growing left and right, and more and more soccer to offer,” Keeney said.
At the professional level, FC Tucson reported a substantial increase in game attendance in June compared to the same period last year. FC Tucson Founder and President Jon Pearlman said the club is looking to capitalize on that interest once the tournament concludes.
“I think the casual fan’s gonna be hungry for the teams in their markets so they can keep watching soccer and keep chanting and singing, enjoying the great players,” Pearlman said.
But all the leaders in the local soccer community in Tucson says this moment extends beyond the sport itself and something they hope will extend past the final whistle.
“It’s an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime, and they’re getting to experience it at the prime of USA Soccer right now,” Petty said.
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