Roger Bennett: World Cup made America fall in love with soccer, but Premier League wins long-term

Roger Bennett, co-founder and host of Men in Blazers, called this summer's World Cup "everything," per www.nytimes.com. The tournament was held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"For us, the highest hope in the world came and, by and large, fell in love with America — one Waffle House, one Buc-ee’s Nugget, one In-N-Out Burger at a time," Bennett told the outlet.

Men in Blazers is the largest independent soccer media organisation in North America, according to www.nytimes.com, giving Bennett a front-row seat to the sport's trajectory across the Atlantic. He believes the summer showpiece can be a catalyst for bigger and better things for soccer in the U.S.

The love affair was visceral and specific. Bennett described "Boston becoming the capital of Scotland" for ten glorious days, and noted the Norwegians' presence, wondering aloud how many college football fanbases will adopt the Viking row this season.

For American fans, the tournament delivered icons they already adored: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland. Bennett also pointed to Vozinha, a changed man whose life now sits on a different trajectory.

"They fell in love with all of it," he said. But the real question, Bennett argues, is what comes next — and he has a clear hunch about which competition will reap the rewards.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GROUND

Bennett did not let the politics of the tournament slide, pointing out the issues that shadowed the event, including those that faced the Iran team, per www.nytimes.com. But the joy on the ground outweighed the friction.

“Boston becoming the capital of Scotland,” he told the outlet. “Ten glorious days. It was a dark day when the last Scotsman left Boston.”

Then came the Norwegians. Bennett wondered aloud how many college football fanbases will be doing the Viking row this season — though the exact impact of that celebration on U.S. college crowds is not confirmed, only his speculation.

What American fans did see, clearly, was star power. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland all played on the biggest stage, and Bennett noted these were players American audiences already loved.

One name stood out beyond the usual suspects: Vozinha. Bennett called him “a changed man, whose life is now on a different trajectory,” a player whose tournament turned into something far bigger than a run of games.