Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, described the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup as incredibly exciting for the United States during an interview. The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, features an expanded 48-team field across 16 cities. Brady highlighted the event's potential to boost soccer's growth amid recent US national team setbacks.
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, set to begin on June 11 with the United States' first match against Paraguay on June 12, represents a historic expansion to 48 teams spread across North America. Tom Brady, who participated in the tournament draw in December, emphasized its significance in an interview with CGTN Sports Scene. "It was great to be a part of the FIFA draw, but just to know that there are 48 countries now participating in the World Cup in all of North America is incredibly exciting because it just means more inclusion, more countries, more fans, a broader audience for these incredible games and these athletes to showcase what they've really tried to accomplish their whole life, which is reach the pinnacle of their sport," Brady said. He added, "And the fact that they're able to do that in America and showcase it on the biggest stage is absolutely incredible, and it was fun for me to be a part of."
Brady, a minority owner of English Championship club Birmingham City FC, has shown growing interest in soccer, including attending an AC Milan match where he received a custom jersey from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He pointed to the US women's national team's dominance—four FIFA Women's World Cups and five Olympic golds—as evidence of soccer's strong foundation in America. "I think there's always been a huge appetite for soccer in America," Brady noted. "Obviously, over a long period of time, we've had one of the most dominant women's USA teams on a global stage that the world's ever seen... Look, every kid in America grows up playing soccer." He cited Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, as a key driver of the sport's popularity through social media and global exposure.
The US men's team, however, faces challenges after exiting the 2022 World Cup in the Round of 16 and failing to advance from the group stage at the 2024 Copa America, leading to the firing of manager Gregg Berhalter and his replacement by Mauricio Pochettino. During the draw, Brady selected teams for several groups, including Brazil in Group C, France in Group I, England in Group L, Argentina in Group J, and Portugal in Group K.
Brady also praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his leadership since 2016. "The turnaround really starts with tremendous leadership at the top and what Gianni has done in terms of his leadership, his inclusion," he said. "I think Gianni is a man of the people... Football is for everyone. It's a chance for all of us to connect, globally, over something that we love."
Meanwhile, preparations face hurdles in co-host Mexico, where a planned World Cup warm-up match against Ireland at Corregidora Stadium in Santiago de Queretaro proceeds despite recent violence following the death of cartel leader Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera. The unrest, affecting 20 states and resulting in at least 73 deaths, prompted postponed domestic matches and updated UK travel advisories. FIFA stated it remains in constant communication with authorities and would consider relocating games only as a last resort. Four matches are scheduled in Guadalajara, four in Monterrey, and five in Mexico City.
