College soccer, the U.S. national men’s and women’s teams, and the FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2026 sheds light on the unique American combination of sport and education, which deviates from the globally common club model. The article argues that the United States is moving towards international standards when it comes to top talent development for men’s soccer. At the World Cup in 1990, the entire U.S. squad had a history as college players. At the 2022 World Cup, less than one-third had played in college. A majority attended an MLS academy or pursued opportunities abroad. However, while the importance of college soccer for the national men’s team is diminishing, it remains constantly high for the women’s national team. Reasons for those gender differences, such as lower salaries for female soccer players, are explained. Finally, the benefits of college soccer, such as higher earning opportunities after graduation, as well as criticisms such as its unique rules and short four-month schedule, are discussed.