local
What polling shows about Americans’ interest in the World Cup and USMNT
By Linley Sanders, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / 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 Magnolia News
In Montgomery County, where Magnolia is located, the World Cup excitement is likely to be felt in local sports bars and restaurants, where fans gather to watch the games. The poll's findings that most Americans are still not avid soccer fans may reflect the local sports landscape, where football, baseball, and basketball tend to dominate. However, the enthusiasm of local soccer fans, particularly those who follow the US men's national team, could translate into increased interest in local soccer leagues and programs. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see if the excitement generated by the US team's performance will have a lasting impact on the popularity of soccer in Magnolia and surrounding areas, potentially leading to increased participation in local soccer programs and a growing fan base for the sport. The local community may also be watching to see how the World Cup's success could influence the development of soccer infrastructure and programs in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News 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 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / 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 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Linley Sanders, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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