Soccer Forward Foundation Kicks Off '26 FIFA World Cup Legacy Initiatives
Photography by: Kakeru Otsuka
This week, the US Soccer Federation formally rolled out the first nationwide phase of the Soccer Forward Foundation, a social impact initiative designed to turn World Cup momentum into greater access to the sport for underserved communities.
Launched in 2024, Soccer Forward is positioned as U.S. Soccer’s long-term commitment to making the game more available — and more meaningful — in communities across the country.
At the center of the announcement is the debut of the Soccer Forward Resource Hub, a digital platform packed with more than 100 tools, trainings, and case studies gathered from organizations across the soccer and nonprofit ecosystem. The first wave includes a toolkit focused on practical ways to bring the sport into schools and after-school programs, from starter activities to advocacy tips for administrators and community leaders.
Future toolkits will address topics like creating more places to play, developing community-based coaching networks, and tapping into next summer’s World Cup energy in a way that doesn’t fade when the final whistle blows.
“Anyone who wants to play this game should have that opportunity,” U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson said in a statement, framing the initiative as a way to strengthen both physical and mental well-being while deepening local connections.
The timing is deliberate. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics, and a U.S. bid for the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup all on the horizon, soccer in America is approaching a rare convergence point. Federation projections estimate fandom could climb past 150 million by 2026, with participation numbers expected to jump significantly in the same window.
Soccer Forward’s ambition is to make sure that the surge translates into real access, particularly for girls and women, a priority underscored by a recent $25 million gift from philanthropist Michele Kang to advance equity and innovation in the women’s game. To date, U.S. Soccer has already distributed more than $16 million through its Innovate to Grow grants to support grassroots efforts nationwide.
The initiative is also leaning on recognizable voices to amplify the message. Ambassadors include former national team players Tony Sanneh, Kyle Martino, Kate Ward, and CJ Brown, along with current U.S. internationals Ally Sentnor and Chris Richards.
For U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, the goal is simple: lower the barriers that still keep too many kids from the game.
In a country where soccer’s popularity has never been higher, the real test isn’t whether the stadiums will fill in 2026. It’s whether a kid, in any zip code, can find a ball, a field, and a place to belong long after the spotlight moves on.
