Seattle is no stranger to soccer greatness—but the next two summers promise to be truly historic. As the city prepares to take the global stage as a host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, its deep soccer roots and electric fan culture are already on full display. From record-setting attendance at Lumen Field to a growing list of international milestones, no club has done more to elevate the sport in the Pacific Northwest than Sounders FC.
Before 2026, another global spotlight is headed to Seattle: the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Hosted across the U.S. from June 15 to July 13, the tournament features top clubs from each of FIFA’s six confederations. Representing MLS, Sounders FC—still the league’s only Concacaf Champions Cup winner—will face international giants like Paris Saint-Germain, Botafogo, and Atlético Madrid in the tournament’s “Group of Death".
With six Club World Cup matches set to be played at Lumen Field—three featuring the Sounders—Seattle will once again find itself at the center of global soccer. It’s a moment not just for the team, but for the city as a whole—and for the next generation of players watching from the stands.
We sat down with key Sounders figures to reflect on what this moment means for Seattle, the community, and the future of the game...
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Jordan Morris
Seattle Native & U.S. Men’s National Team Player
As a Seattle native, what does it mean to you personally to see your hometown host the FIFA World Cup in 2026?
It’s awesome that Seattle gets to host games for the World Cup, especially having U.S. Men’s National Team come here. I think the city deserves it. This has been a huge soccer town since before the Sounders came to MLS in 2009, but since then we’ve really seen the attendance and fanbase that we have here. The excitement around soccer in this city is huge. Our fans deserve it and it’ll be incredible to see the biggest stage in the world come to Seattle.
What kind of impact do you think the World Cup will have on young players and the future of soccer in our community?
I think you see soccer already growing so much. More young players are deciding to get into soccer vs. other sports, and I think the World Cup is only going to accelerate that process. They’ll get to see the biggest players in the world fighting for what everyone dreams about when they start playing soccer, which is going to the World Cup and winning a World Cup. For the kids that are able to go to the games and see them live, or even watch on TV and see Seattle, it’s going to be great for the next generation.
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Brian Schmetzer
Head Coach, Seattle Sounders FC
From your perspective as head coach, how do you see the World Cup elevating the game in Seattle and the broader Pacific Northwest?
World Cups are big events, massive events. It’s called the World Cup because every country in the world gets to compete for a trophy. Based on that, combined with the history and growth of soccer in this country, I think this is going to really put Seattle and the Pacific Northwest on the soccer map on a worldwide basis. We will have fans coming in from potentially every continent on the planet, and those fans are going to experience what we get to see every day – a beautiful town, our climate, the mountains, the Sound – and people are going to know that Seattle is a wonderful place. I think it’s going to do wonders for our area.
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Ashley Fosberg
Chief Impact & Fan Engagement Officer
How is the club preparing to leverage the global spotlight of the World Cup to strengthen community engagement and inspire the next generation of fans?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a unique opportunity to expand our impact and deepen community ties. We're growing RAVE Foundation initiatives, creating more open play spaces and partnering with local schools and nonprofits to ensure that access and inspiration reach every neighborhood. Our focus is on legacy — using this moment to introduce the game to new fans, empower youth through soccer and to build lasting programs that reflect the diversity and passion of our region. We’ve proudly committed to 52 mini-fields across the State of Washington as part of these efforts, allowing free play for all in time for next year’s World Cup.
Seattle has long been known for its passionate soccer culture. How do you plan to showcase that spirit to the world during the 2026 World Cup?
Seattle’s soccer culture is vibrant, inclusive and fan-driven — and we’re excited to put that on full display to the world. We’re planning fan-forward events, storytelling campaigns and citywide activations that highlight our supporters and community values. From iconic matchday experiences to grassroots celebrations, we’ll ensure every visitor feels the heartbeat of Rave Green culture. Our goal is to show the world what makes Seattle special — a city where soccer isn’t just a game, it’s a shared identity.
"Our goal is to show the world what makes Seattle special — a city where soccer isn’t just a game, it’s a shared identity."