AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTYou have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.The United States has gone wild over foreign-born players on several occasions. Now the largest World Cup ever is arriving.Listen · 5:42 min The Argentine star Lionel Messi is about to play in his sixth World Cup. His pink Inter Miami jersey became a hot item when he began playing in the United States in 2023.Credit...Megan Briggs/Getty ImagesJune 7, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ETThe United States has been the top exporter of sports superstars for decades. Think Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Jack Nicklaus, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Tom Brady and Simone Biles.But when it comes to the world’s most popular sport, the most recognizable faces to play on American soil — including Pelé, David Beckham and Lionel Messi — have been brought in from overseas.Americans will get their closest look ever at the breadth of global soccer talent as the largest World Cup begins this week in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. There are 48 teams participating, twice as many as the previous time the United States hosted the Men’s World Cup, in 1994. (It hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003.)“We love stars in this country,” said Alan Rothenberg, a former president of the U.S. Soccer Federation and a founder of Major League Soccer. “We have fans who are knowledgeable about the world of soccer, and for the opportunity to see them firsthand, they want to take advantage of that.”Major League Soccer has yet to develop a transcendent global athlete (sorry, Landon Donovan) and must compete for attention with European juggernauts such as the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. When Americans do pack into soccer stadiums, it is often to watch a foreigner.In World Cup group play this month, fans in New Jersey will see the French star Kylian Mbappé; Mohamed Salah of Egypt will be a top attraction in Seattle; and Luis Diaz of Colombia will take the field in Miami.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe.AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT