sports
Title IX Didn't Ruin Men's Soccer. Football Did
In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.
TL;DR
- The 2026 World Cup provided memorable moments and helped many Americans reconnect with their country.
- The U.S. men's national soccer team was eliminated in the Round of 16 after a loss to Belgium.
- The men's team has a history of not making deep World Cup runs and struggling against top-ranked teams.
- This performance contrasts with the dominance of the U.S. women's national soccer team on the global stage.