Former United States striker Jozy Altidore believes the upcoming FIFA World Cup will capture the imagination of American sports fans and prove that football can command national attention despite the dominance of American football.
Speaking in the build-up to Sunday’s Super Bowl clash between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the retired forward expressed confidence that the global showpiece would once again reshape the sporting landscape in the United States.
Altidore dismissed long-standing scepticism about football’s popularity, pointing to the lasting legacy of the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States.
“I think people pay attention too much to the critics,” Altidore told Reuters on Friday.
“I think the ’94 World Cup was a good example of how having the FIFA World Cup, what it can do to a community. Because from that, a league in the United States was birthed.”
The success of that tournament paved the way for the establishment of Major League Soccer two years later, a development widely regarded as a turning point for the sport in the country.
Looking ahead to this summer’s edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, Altidore expects a similar surge in participation and public engagement.
“When I look at this summer, I see a similar event happening, where there’s going to be a boom in interest and registration and involvement for young kids and people across the country,” he said.
The former striker, who scored 42 goals in 115 appearances for the national team, believes the tournament’s influence will extend beyond stadiums, particularly in inspiring the next generation of players.
Altidore is also eager to follow Haiti’s return to the World Cup stage after more than five decades, with the Caribbean nation set to face Scotland in Boston. He also praised United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the progress made by the national team.
“I think Pochettino has done a great job… getting them to play how he wants them to play,” he said.
Although now retired, Altidore’s sporting loyalties remain strong. A minority owner in the Buffalo Bills, he admitted he would prefer his franchise to reach the Super Bowl, though he tipped the Seahawks to emerge victorious in Sunday’s contest.
