In 1994, the United States held its first World Cup.
Since then, soccer has evolved in many different ways – both on and off of the field.
The US, along with Mexico and Canada, is preparing to host this mega-event for the second time. But the biggest change in the tournament since 1994 has been its scale.
Scaling up
The scale-up is quantifiable. In 1994, there were 52 games played over 32 days by 24 teams. The 2026 World Cup (the first to feature three nations) will include 78 games in just the US, spread over 39 days.
Each group has 12 teams. The top two teams from each group, along with eight of the best third placed teams will advance to the knockout round.
The tournament’s size has more than doubled since 1994.
This is no accident.
The twin forces of globalisation, commodification and FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s deliberate strategy to protect and expand football’s dominance in the commercial world have all contributed.
The tournament has expanded into markets that are not traditional, namely the US, the largest economy in the sports world.
This expansion generated substantial returns on investment and commercial interest.
Infantino, FIFA and Donald Trump have been criticized in the global media. This criticism has ranged from Donald Trump’s controversial gestures to ticket prices. The World Cup is now more commercially and strategically powerful than it has ever been.
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FIFA’s claim of global influence has been boosted by the inclusion of smaller nations like Cape Verde, Curacao and others, with populations well below one million.
Two fundamental factors are at the core of this scale-up. Media rights are FIFA’s biggest revenue source. The value of the rights agreements increases significantly when FIFA expands to 104 games, especially across all participating nations.
The second benefit of expansion is that it broadens FIFA’s political base.
It strengthens nations that were previously marginalized in global soccer by allowing them access.
Each FIFA member has equal voting power. The vote for Brazil, the world’s most populous country, is the same weight as the vote for Curacao.
A larger tournament will also increase the chances that emerging markets and major populations (such as China and India) are going to participate in the World Cup, thus expanding its commercial impact.
FIFA has yet to answer the question of how much expansion is possible before losing the exclusiveness and value of World Cup.
World Game is now available in the US
Since the 1994 World Cup, the popularity of soccer in the US is booming. This growth is a reflection of the initial intent that led to awarding the World Cup 1994 to the United States.
It was largely because of the National Football League’s (NFL) use that the 1994 tournament had the highest attendance in its history. The agreement was made on condition of establishing a professional soccer league after the demise of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1984.
Major League Soccer, launched in 1996 and now firmly established on the US sports landscape.
As well as the growth of semi-professional and secondary leagues in Europe, college players are now able to enter MLS.
The growth in women’s sport has been particularly strong thanks to new investments.
It is plausible that the US men’s team could make an impressive run by 2026. They are currently ranked 16th on the global rankings.
In the same way as in 1994, this year’s matches will be largely staged at football stadiums in order to maximize capacity.
Changes in technology and rules
FIFA has made a number of rule changes to increase match tempo and keep the ball on the field. This is reflected in the measures taken to combat time wastage, from tighter controls on throw-ins and goals kicks to more stringent management of extra time.
In 1994, the World Cup brought about major reforms. These included a prohibition on passing back to goalkeepers as well as awarding 3 points per win in order to promote attacking play.
In 2026, the technology will be expanded, and Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will make more decisions, such as corner calls, second yellow cards, etc.
After the 1994 extreme heat, mandatory drinks breaks have been introduced. One in each halves around the 22 minute mark.
The substitution rules also have changed significantly. From two regular substitutes in 1994, they now allow for five, plus an extra allowance to replace concussions.
The same game but different scale
Soccer’s dominance has come from its simplicity. It was evident in its early film matches and its codification more than 100 years ago.
Sport’s continuity crosses generations. Even though today’s athletes are more developed, the leading players from the 1994 World Cup like Brazil’s Romario and Italy’s Roberto Baggio could still compete.
Soccer’s success is rooted in consistency, not the size, reach, and commercialisation that tournaments such as the World Cup bring.
It is easy to recognise and understand the game that’s played at the biggest stadiums in the world.
