Tom Brady Predicts Surge in U.S. Interest as 2026 Fifa World Cup Unveils Massive 104-Game Calendar

Tom Brady has projected that the 2026 fifa world cup will boost the profile of soccer in the United States, tying his outlook to the tournament's unprecedented scale and the star-driven momentum in domestic leagues. Brady’s remarks focus on the quality of the women's game, the influence of marquee players in Major League Soccer, and the broader exposure the World Cup will bring to a growing American audience.

2026 Fifa World Cup: scale, schedule and what Brady sees as the impact

The 2026 Fifa World Cup will be the largest edition yet, expanded to a 48-team field and staged across three countries and 16 cities. The tournament spans 39 days and features 104 matches, reshaping the traditional calendar and producing few off days during the group and early knockout phases. The opening match is scheduled for the famous Estadio Azteca and pairs Mexico with South Africa. Other known fixtures include host-nation opening matches for Canada and the United States on the tournament's first matchday, with Canada playing in Toronto and the U. S. kicking off at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Brady framed this scale as a growth engine for the sport in America: a larger tournament, more participating countries and more matches create wider exposure and opportunities for new fans to engage. He singled out the women’s game and the domestic presence of high-profile stars as factors already lifting soccer’s profile in U. S. stadiums and on social channels.

Brady’s view on U. S. soccer and domestic momentum

Brady emphasized the long-standing participation base for soccer in American youth and highlighted recent club-level developments that have drawn attention to the domestic game. He pointed to the quality of the U. S. women's program and to high-profile players competing in U. S. professional clubs as contributors to increased interest. Brady also referenced his participation in the World Cup draw late last year as part of his engagement with the event.

Domestically, the U. S. men's team enters the tournament after a mixed recent run: elimination in the Round of 16 at the previous World Cup and a group-stage exit at the 2024 continental tournament. Those results were followed by a managerial change, with the former coach replaced heading into this major home-region tournament.

What the packed calendar means for fans and the sport

The extended format and 104-match schedule increase the number of high-profile fixtures on North American soil, concentrating major international competition across multiple time zones and cities. For fans, that means more opportunities to attend matches in person and more continuous global engagement over the 39-day span. Brady suggested that increased visibility—through stadium attendance and social media—will help draw new followers and deepen existing interest.

• Tournament size: 48 teams across three host countries and 16 host cities.
• Match total: 104 games over 39 days, with only a handful of off days during the group-to-knockout transition.
• Opening match: held at Estadio Azteca, Mexico vs South Africa.
• Host kickoff examples: Canada in Toronto and the United States at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on the first matchday.

Recent coverage highlights the convergence of star power, an expanded tournament format, and rising domestic interest. Brady’s forecast frames the 2026 Fifa World Cup as a catalytic event that could accelerate trends already visible in U. S. soccer attendance and youth participation. These developments will unfold over the coming months as the tournament approaches and the full calendar plays out.