The L. Messi effect? US soccer surpasses baseball

2026-01-09 09:10 © Getty Images via AFP

Changes in the list of the most popular sports in the USA.

According to "The Economist," soccer has surpassed baseball in popularity.

The MLS league established at the end of the last century, youth development, the attraction of famous players, and investments in stadiums have led to long-awaited changes.

Currently, 10 percent of Americans name soccer as their favorite sport.

Baseball, which has dropped to fourth place, can boast a slightly lower number (9 percent).

The list still features two unbeatable sports – American football (36 percent) and basketball (17 percent).