Landon Donovan says hosting the FIFA World Cup in the United States will ignite soccer dreams for millions of American kids—pointing to his own “’94” experience at age 12 and the influence he expects from players like Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic.
Landon Donovan still talks about his first World Cup the way other people describe the moment a passion takes hold.
He was 12 years old when he went to his first World Cup game in 1994. and he didn’t even know much about soccer beyond what he played in the park. Speaking during an honorary shift at Raising Cane’s in Inglewood. Donovan made it clear that he believes the U.S. will feel the impact of the tournament in a big way—especially for kids who are ready to fall in love with the sport.
“Donovan tells TMZ Sports America hosting World Cup games will inspire MILLIONS of kids to pursue the sport.”
“So in ’94, I went to my first World Cup game,” Donovan said. “And I didn’t know about soccer at all outside of just playing out in the park.”
He remembers watching Argentina and Romania at the Rose Bowl, and he said it opened his eyes to a bigger world he “didn’t know existed.” That same spark, Donovan argued, is what he expects to spread across the country over the next few weeks.
Donovan expects kids to watch current U.S. stars Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic and want to follow their paths. He believes that enthusiasm would still happen even if the World Cup were being played overseas, but he thinks the fact that it’s on U.S. soil will only intensify it.
When asked about Christian Pulisic’s place in U.S. soccer history—specifically whether there’s a chance the 27-year-old becomes the greatest ever for the Red. White and Blue—Donovan offered his perspective on the debate. tying his comments back to what the tournament can do for the next generation of players.
The FIFA World Cup™ 2026 kicks off on Thursday, and FOX One will be streaming all 104 matches from June 11 to July 19.
For Donovan, the math is personal: he didn’t just watch in 1994—he became a different kid afterward. Now he’s betting that millions of others will be watching, dreaming, and deciding they want in.
Landon Donovan World Cup 2026 Christian Pulisic Weston McKennie FOX One Inglewood Raising Cane's U.S. Soccer soccer kids Rose Bowl