FIFA 2026 A.D. MEN'S WORLD CUP:OFFICIAL THREAD

[jusplay4fun]

I'm surprised golf is that low, with 3 of the majors and the Masters in particular.

I wouldn't put too much weight into some random 15 best article online

US soccer barely beat golf purely in terms of TV viewership in 2025 for the first time ever, but golf is still much larger in terms of US participants (50 million vs 24 million), total revenue of pro leagues (MLS vs PGA,LPGA, seniors tours, PGA of America, college level ect), way way larger in terms of overall revenue as a sport given the high cost of entry (clubs,balls,gloves,$100s greens fees ect for a single participant vs the cost of a single soccer ball spread across 20+ players lol).

Golf TV viewership has really struggled in the US since LIV, not because LIV has been all that successful but alot of the biggest names weren't even playing majors there for a few years and it's always hard to bring people back once they've left.

The random article quoted stats, on viewerhip and revenue and participation.

Here is another article with LOTS of stats on # of fans: Football still #1, baseball #2, soccer #12, golf #5

https://theenterpriseworld.com/most-pop ... n-the-usa/

and another article; why NOT?

If you’re interested in American sports or simply curious about the most popular sports in the United States, you’ve come to the right place! The country boasts several prominent sports leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, often called America’s “big four” sports. But what exactly are the most popular sports in America? This survey will provide an in-depth look at the most popular sports in the United States.

A recent poll conducted by CEOWORLD magazine in partnership with the COSMOS Analytica revealed that American football is the most popular sport among adults in the United States, with 36% of respondents selecting it as their favorite to watch. Baseball and basketball came in second and third place, with 12% and 11% respectively. The survey was carried out from 5 January to January 24 and asked 240,000 Americans to name their preferred spectator sport. No [other? sic?] sport is named by more than 5% of U.S. adults. Soccer is at 4%; ice hockey and auto racing are at 3%; and figure skating is at 2%. 11% of U.S. adults do not name any sport.

Soccer is #4 (4%) here and edged out ice hockey (3%). Of course the time of year may have SOME bearing, giving Football a HUGE lead, but I doubt that the order will change appreciably.
https://ceoworld.biz/2025/05/13/most-po ... ates-2025/

[Apatheist]

I'm surprised golf is that low, with 3 of the majors and the Masters in particular.

Golf and tennis are (or at least were) considered here in the US, as sports of gentlemen, played a country clubs and the like. As such, fewer typically PLAY those games and watch those games and the sport. Note that loud cheering and jeering during the game is NOT allowed.

In the USA, loud cheering for the Team, jeering of opponents and even officials (referees and umpires and the like) are all part of the game. The games that appeal to the masses and the more "common man" are football (American style), basketball (most men's), and baseball. Such loud cheering is part of the game so that everyone yells at an 18 year old college freshman on the foul line during a basketball game, but everyone is quiet when a golf veteran of 30+ years old goes to putt (same for tennis, especially during the serve). I suspect that in England that yelling, cheering, and jeering is part of the norm for soccer (or football) there and throughout the UK. (I cannot speak intelligently about cricket, rugby, polo, or other sports in the UK.)

To me, the sports that appeal the masses will have a bigger viewship (live and TV and now streaming) and bigger money, usually.

Perhaps you could have a word with the Ryder Cup crowds about yelling and jeering during the game? They're the most unruly bunch. Also that idiot who shouts "Get in the hole!" regardless of how far or difficult the shot being played, which is particularly stupid when teeing off on a 500 plus yard hole.
FYI Rugby crowds cheer, although there is usually respectful silence when someone is taking a kick at goal (either a penalty or conversion). Cricket isn't played in silence, but as in tennis, the crowd has to keep still in the line of sight of the players (specifically the batter, or as they say, "behind the bowler's arm") during the active play.
One thing you will see pretty faultlessly observed everywhere is a minute's silence (or sometimes applause) for a recently deceased player, particularly a well-liked and respected one. When Bobby Moore died - who was captain when England won the World Cup - there were 90000, possibly inebriated, otherwise loutish hooligans inside Wembley stadium, and one could have heard a pin drop.
Polo - haven't got a clue. I'm not posh enough to have been invited. That's definitely the preserve of the very top classes.

[jusplay4fun]

Spain vs. Argentina for the FIFA world Cup this coming Sunday.

Any predictions?

[mookiemcgee]

I'm surprised golf is that low, with 3 of the majors and the Masters in particular.

I wouldn't put too much weight into some random 15 best article online

US soccer barely beat golf purely in terms of TV viewership in 2025 for the first time ever, but golf is still much larger in terms of US participants (50 million vs 24 million), total revenue of pro leagues (MLS vs PGA,LPGA, seniors tours, PGA of America, college level ect), way way larger in terms of overall revenue as a sport given the high cost of entry (clubs,balls,gloves,$100s greens fees ect for a single participant vs the cost of a single soccer ball spread across 20+ players lol).

Golf TV viewership has really struggled in the US since LIV, not because LIV has been all that successful but alot of the biggest names weren't even playing majors there for a few years and it's always hard to bring people back once they've left.

The random article quoted stats, on viewerhip and revenue and participation.

Here is another article with LOTS of stats on # of fans: soccer #12, golf #5

https://theenterpriseworld.com/most-pop ... n-the-usa/

and another article; why NOT?

If you’re interested in American sports or simply curious about the most popular sports in the United States, you’ve come to the right place! The country boasts several prominent sports leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, often called America’s “big four” sports. But what exactly are the most popular sports in America? This survey will provide an in-depth look at the most popular sports in the United States.

A recent poll conducted by CEOWORLD magazine in partnership with the COSMOS Analytica revealed that American football is the most popular sport among adults in the United States, with 36% of respondents selecting it as their favorite to watch. Baseball and basketball came in second and third place, with 12% and 11% respectively. The survey was carried out from 5 January to January 24 and asked 240,000 Americans to name their preferred spectator sport. No [other? sic?] sport is named by more than 5% of U.S. adults. Soccer is at 4%; ice hockey and auto racing are at 3%; and figure skating is at 2%. 11% of U.S. adults do not name any sport.

Soccer is #4 (4%) here and edged out ice hockey (3%). Of course the time of year may have SOME bearing, giving Football a HUGE lead, but I doubt that the order will change appreciably.
https://ceoworld.biz/2025/05/13/most-po ... ates-2025/

Idk what the point is of following up one random ranking list you googled, by adding more random clickbait lists but ok. The second one you posted showing golf has 12 times as many US fans as soccer is so far off your other two sources it seems to just reinforce that you can't put much weight into random lists you find online after you google something.

[jusplay4fun]

I'm surprised golf is that low, with 3 of the majors and the Masters in particular.

[size= I wouldn't put too much weight into some random 15 best article online [/size]
US soccer barely beat golf purely in terms of TV viewership in 2025 for the first time ever, but golf is still much larger in terms of US participants (50 million vs 24 million), total revenue of pro leagues (MLS vs PGA,LPGA, seniors tours, PGA of America, college level ect), way way larger in terms of overall revenue as a sport given the high cost of entry (clubs,balls,gloves,$100s greens fees ect for a single participant vs the cost of a single soccer ball spread across 20+ players lol).

Golf TV viewership has really struggled in the US since LIV, not because LIV has been all that successful but alot of the biggest names weren't even playing majors there for a few years and it's always hard to bring people back once they've left.

The random article quoted stats, on viewerhip and revenue and participation.

Here is another article with LOTS of stats on # of fans: soccer #12, golf #5

https://theenterpriseworld.com/most-pop ... n-the-usa/

and another article; why NOT?

If you’re interested in American sports or simply curious about the most popular sports in the United States, you’ve come to the right place! The country boasts several prominent sports leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, often called America’s “big four” sports. But what exactly are the most popular sports in America? This survey will provide an in-depth look at the most popular sports in the United States.

A recent poll conducted by CEOWORLD magazine in partnership with the COSMOS Analytica revealed that American football is the most popular sport among adults in the United States, with 36% of respondents selecting it as their favorite to watch. Baseball and basketball came in second and third place, with 12% and 11% respectively. The survey was carried out from 5 January to January 24 and asked 240,000 Americans to name their preferred spectator sport. No [other? sic?] sport is named by more than 5% of U.S. adults. Soccer is at 4%; ice hockey and auto racing are at 3%; and figure skating is at 2%. 11% of U.S. adults do not name any sport.

Soccer is #4 (4%) here and edged out ice hockey (3%). Of course the time of year may have SOME bearing, giving Football a HUGE lead, but I doubt that the order will change appreciably.
https://ceoworld.biz/2025/05/13/most-po ... ates-2025/

Idk what the point is of following up one random ranking list you googled, by adding more random clickbait lists but ok. The second one you posted showing golf has 12 times as many US fans as soccer is so far off your other two sources it seems to just reinforce that you can't put much weight into random lists you find online after you google something.

And what do you provide, Mookie, other than questions, speculations, spelling errors, and almost NO FACTS? More participants in Golf vs. Soccer in the US? Really?? I guess kids don't count, huh? Mookie. But we cannot check your source(s) since you provide NONE.

Random clickbait? did you look at my sources?

and btw: it is etc and not ect.

etcetera; noun
and others especially of the same kind : and so forth —abbreviation etc.

and
A lot is an adverb or pronoun that means “a large quantity,” while allot is a verb that means “to set aside for a specific purpose.” Alot is a misspelling of a lot.