Marcelo Balboa Says World Cup Can Unite a Divided America
As the United States awaits confirmation that the war in Iran has ended and marks 250 years since its founding amid deep political polarization, former U.S. defender Marcelo Balboa says the 2026 World Cup could mean more than sport. Speaking to Walla in Los Angeles before the U.S. team’s opening match, Balboa said, “There are wars and conflicts all over the world. That is the reality now. When you talk about the World Cup, it brings people together. It connects different cultures and people from different backgrounds. That is the greatness of the World Cup.”
Balboa, who played in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and made more than 120 appearances for the national team, said the pressure on the Americans is no different from any other team at a World Cup. The U.S. hosts the tournament for the first time since 1994, and its first match is against Paraguay, between Friday and Saturday at 4:00 a.m. on Sport1. He said every team wants to represent its country, and for the Americans the challenge is also to prove themselves on home soil.
“We are trying to show the rest of the world how good we really are,” Balboa said. “We are trying to change the stigma that Americans have a few good players, but they are not really a big national team.” He said success should start with winning the group, since that can help avoid stronger opponents later, and added that anything less than a quarterfinal would be disappointing.
Balboa also spoke about Major League Soccer, where he has become one of the league’s prominent ambassadors, and about the growing number of Israeli players in the U.S. league. He said MLS is on the rise because of world-class training facilities, modern stadiums and a high quality of life. He also said American soccer culture is changing quickly, and that the World Cup, with 48 national teams visiting, will further raise MLS’s profile. Balboa said the league’s transformation began with David Beckham, followed by stars such as Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, and said the goal is to keep attracting elite players.
