World Cup 2026: 10 Ways CA Helped Shape Soccer History

In the popular imagination, California might be more associated with sports like surfing or skateboarding than soccer, but it’s actually shaped the beautiful game in some pretty profound ways. It hosts the oldest continuously operating soccer club in the country and was an early and enthusiastic adopter of the sport.

The Golden State also became a soccer superhost, playing host to some biggest crowds and most memorable moments in the game’s storied history. As the world’s eyes turn to SoFi and Levi’s stadiums for the World Cup, here’s a look back at some of the surprising ways California and soccer have shaped each other.

1. California has long hosted important soccer games

California is shaping up to be one of the most prolific soccer hosts in the world. In 2026, it’s hosting 14 games, the second highest number of any North American state or province. It also hosted the 1984 Olympics soccer gold-medal match at the Rose Bowl, the 1994 World Cup at the Rose Bowl (much more to come on that), and the 1999 Women’s World Cup at the Rose Bowl and the Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto. In 2028, Olympic soccer matches will be held at PayPal Park in San Jose and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

2. California is hosting more World Cup matches than Canada or Mexico

As the host of a whopping 14 matches in 2026, the state is hosting more than two entire countries: Canada and Mexico are each hosting 13.

3. The Rose Bowl hosted more 1994 World Cup matches than any other stadium

California was central to the best-attended World Cup in history. The Rose Bowl hosted eight matches that year, more than any other venue. That year, the Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto hosted six matches, meaning that California hosted a quarter of the tournament’s 52 matches.

In 2026, California is also hosting a total of 14 matches, and once again, SoCal is hosting eight games while NorCal is hosting six. The major difference is that 2026 now has a total of 104 games, so California is only hosting 13.5% of the games.

4. California hosted the historic 1994 World Cup final

The Rose Bowl didn’t just host the most games that year - it also hosted the final match. And it was a doozy. After 120 minutes, Brazil beat Italy on penalties after a 0-0 draw. To date, this was the only final that was scoreless after two hours, and the first World Cup final decided by a penalty shootout.

5. California has hosted both a men’s and women’s World Cup final and set an international attendance record for a women’s sporting event

The Rose Bowl holds its own as one of the great soccer stadiums of all time. In addition to hosting the ‘94 men’s World Cup final, the stadium also hosted the Women’s World Cup final in 1999. The 1999 final between the U.S. and China drew 90,185 fans, setting an international attendance record for a women’s sporting event.

The final match - which coincidentally also was decided by a penalty - was most famous for Brandi Chastain ripping off her jersey and exposing her bra after the winning kick, an image that landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated and became one of the defining images in the history of women’s sports.

6. One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history happened in Pasadena

The Rose Bowl played host to one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history. On June 22, 1994, Colombia was a favorite to win not just the match, but perhaps the whole cup. Meanwhile, the U.S. hadn’t won any World Cup games since 1950. Before nearly 94,000 fans, American midfielder John Harkes sent a ball across the penalty area, and Colombian defender Andrés Escobar accidentally deflected it into his own net. The U.S. eventually won 2-1.

7. The 1994 World Cup helped create Major League Soccer

One condition of the U.S. hosting the 1994 tournament was establishing a professional outdoor soccer league. Major League Soccer launched in 1996, creating iconic teams like the LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes.

8. California helped prove to the world that Americans were interested in soccer

On that note, it’s important to remember how different the 1990s landscape was. The U.S. men’s national team had only just returned to the World Cup after a 40-year absence, and the North American Soccer League had recently collapsed. Major League soccer didn’t exist. Many people all over the world questioned why a country so seemingly disinterested in soccer should host the sport’s main world event. People wondered if any would even show up to the matches.

But as a famous song of that era goes: “California knows how to party.” The Rose Bowl hosted crowds of more than 90,000 people multiple times. In Palo Alto, over 84,000 fans packed the Stanford Stadium to watch the U.S. take on juggernaut Brazil. This incredible attendance helped convince FIFA, sponsors, broadcasters, and investors that soccer had a future in America.

9. California had been playing soccer for nearly a century

Those crowds didn’t come from nowhere. The San Francisco Soccer Football League was founded in 1902, making it the oldest continuously operating soccer league in the United States. The Southern California League was formed in Los Angeles in 1902, and many other clubs formed in the following years. Leagues represented newly-arrived immigrant groups from all over the world, and soccer was an important way for them to maintain identity and community. Later in the 20th century, immigration from across Latin America made soccer especially popular in the state.

10. California hosted one of the largest soccer crowds in U.S. history

The numbers in 1994 were huge, but the biggest crowd actually came a decade earlier, when Los Angeles hosted the 1984 Summer Olympics. More than 101,000 fans attended the men’s soccer gold-medal match at the Rose Bowl that year. Perhaps we can top it in 2026 or 2028.

SEE ALSO:

• World Cup 2026 In CA: 5 Things To Know About Opening Ceremonies And Games
• LA To Kick Off World Cup With Events This Week
• World Cup In LA: What To Know About Matches, Tickets, Transit And More