Soccer, one of the world’s most popular sports, takes center stage in the United States over the next few years. From local clubs to the top nations in the sport, it is undeniable the beautiful game is here to stay. Both across the nation, and here in southern California.
The next half-decade will be action packed with soccer from every level, and it all begins in just a few days’ time.
2024 Copa America
Image via reuters.com
The CONMEBOL Copa America is an international soccer competition where countries mainly from CONMEBOL (South America) compete in a 12-team tournament. This edition includes 16 teams, with six nations being from CONCACAF (North America), including the United States. Beginning in just a month’s time, the Copa America will take place in stadiums across the country, with two group stage matches taking place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The two matches will take place in Inglewood, CA are Brazil vs Costa Rica and Venezuela vs Mexico.
Brazil’s national team is no stranger to success and superstardom, as countless legends such as Pelé, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo Nazário have represented the nation in past decades. Today, bright, young superstars Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Endrick are just some of the names carrying the club to a new era.
In the other matchup, a Mexico team looks to begin a new era of their own. Icons like Javier “Chicharito” Hernández’s national team days are over, and “El Tri” has had several disappointing results in recent years. However, a recent Gold Cup victory and the emergence of talents like Santiago Gimenez have many fans hopeful that their team can rebound. Their opposition is a Venezuelan side that is currently fourth in World Cup qualifying standings.
2025 Club World Cup
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Pivoting from countries to clubs, the 2025 Mundial de Clubes FIFA (FIFA Club World Cup) is a rebranded and new format of the previous 7-team Club World Cup. The new edition of the Club World Cup now features 32 club teams from across the six confederations: CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF (Africa), UEFA (Europe), AFC (Asia), and OFC (Oceania).
As the tournament is over a year away, no official matches or venues have been announced. However, while The Athletic has stated much of the tournament will center around the east coast, there is speculation of games being played elsewhere. Ticketing info can be found here.
Some clubs that have already qualified for the competition include Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Palmeiras, and the Seattle Sounders, who are currently the only American team in the competition. However, the U.S. is the competition’s host, so they can select an additional team to qualify.
With 32 teams across the world, there is no lack of star power. One of the most successful clubs in history, Real Madrid, will bring plenty of stars of their own. This includes Ballon D’or candidate Jude Bellingham and world-class French forward Kylian Mbappé. Other stars include Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Bayern’s Harry Kane.
2025 Gold Cup
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With the east coast being the primary host of the Club World Cup in 2025, the west coast will host the 2025 Gold Cup. Like Copa America, the Gold Cup is a regional competition between national teams. Unlike the Copa America, the teams will come mainly from CONCACAF, a primarily North American soccer federation. This means the United States, Canada, and Mexico national teams are almost locks to feature in this cup.
No venues have officially been announced, but with the certainty the event will take place on the west coast, several California stadiums have the potential to be hosts.
FIFA World Cup 2026
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One of, if not the most prestigious competition in soccer, the World Cup, is finally returning to the U.S. in 2026. Like all previously mentioned events, it also features a format change. The 32-team tournament has expanded to a field of 48 teams. In addition to the United States, the neighboring nations of Mexico and Canada will host World Cup games of their own. As such, all three countries gain automatic qualification into the global event.
Like the last World Cup the U.S. hosted in 1994, SoCal will get several games. Rather than the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, SoFi Stadium will once again host several matches, including the United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) first match of the competition.
Though the competition is still over two years away, there are many star Americans expected to be on the USMNT’s roster come 2026. Dubbed “Captain America” by American soccer fans, AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic is undoubtedly one of the team’s leaders. Juventus’ Weston McKennie, Nottingham Forest’s Matt Turner, and PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi are just some of the talents surrounding the Hershey, Pennsylvania native. Come 2026, the USMNT will have made back-to-back World Cups; a tremendous accomplishment since their failure to qualify for the 2018 competition.
More soccer to look forward to
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Over seven years from now, the U.S. and Mexico are bidding to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Although this is many years away, many women’s national teams from across the world are sure to bring a display of skills to U.S. soil when the time comes.
While you wait for these amazing events, don’t forget about the soccer teams that call SoCal home. In the MLS, you can watch five-time MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy plays in Carson, while also watching 2022 champions LAFC in South LA. Sharing BMO Stadium with LAFC, Angel City FC is LA’s only club in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). San Diego is slated to have a few clubs of their own, including San Diego Wave FC already competing in the NWSL, and the soon-to-debut San Diego FC of the MLS. There are a few USL clubs in the area as well, including Orange County SC of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship and Capo FC of USL League Two.
Between all these teams and tournaments, don’t forget about Cal Poly Pomona’s (CPP) very own men’s and women’s soccer teams. Though their season is yet to begin, admission to their games next season is free like any other CPP sport, so go out there and support your fellow Broncos.
The future of soccer in southern California and beyond is as bright as ever. Whether it be watching the USMNT defend home turf in 2026, or even catching a local match. Over the next few years, you will never be far away from watching the beautiful game played on a pitch around SoCal.
Are you planning to catch a soccer game in the future? Let us know on our social media @ASICPP on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok!
