The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, bringing excitement to American soccer fans. This is not the first World Cup hosted in the U.S. Fans of the men’s 1994 and women’s 1999 tournaments remember how soccer became a national phenomenon. Mia Hamm, a former U.S. Women’s National Team star, shared insights with Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink on the eve of this year’s World Cup.
Mia Hamm, captured in a photo by Jon Buckle/EMPICS, reflected on the significance of representing the U.S. during the 1999 tournament. The team secured its first world title against China. Hamm said, “Representing the U.S., wearing the colors and the badge, meant everything for us.” For players like Hamm, representing America is a source of pride.
Hamm emphasized the uniqueness of winning a World Cup on home soil. She recounted the surreal experiences, such as the traffic and tailgating that marked the lead-up to the games. “To see people in our jerseys, tailgating, playing pickup in the parking lot two hours before the match, just said that this was different,” she said.
Mia Hamm spoke to the current global landscape, saying that soccer has the power to unite people across differences. “I think so much of what’s happening in the world, we focus so much on how we are different… I think these players, when they step on the field, they represent so much more than just the country in which they play.” Hamm expressed enthusiasm for the current World Cup.
The United States faces Paraguay on Friday, June 12, at 9 p.m. on Fox. This marks another thrilling chapter in soccer history in the U.S.