World Cup Soccer Information given to Council at MeetingWorld Cup Fever Brings Memories of Team Brazil
Celebration in Los Gatos
By Jean EIIe • Published June 17, 2014 •
Updated on June 18, 2014
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World Cup fever sweeping through the Bay Area is bringing up
memories of a celebration that temporarily turned Los Gatos into Brazil.
Soccer fans in Los Gatos light up when discussing the 1994 World
Cup. Team Brazil that year chose to stay in Los Gatos when the United
States hosted the World Cup.
It's an experience former mayor Randy Attaway vividly remembers.
Team Brazil was supposed to choose from San Francisco, Oakland
and Santa Cruz, but fell in love with Los Gatos while scouting sites.
"Los Gatos welcomed them with open arms," Attaway said. "Brazilians
welcomed us with open arms."
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This itine Tow
BY ED FOSTER-SIMEON 4 MINUTE READ
Some of the world's most storied soccer nations recently finished competing in Copa America, putting the
beautiful game on center stage in the U.S. This tournament marked the beginning of a "mega -decade" with
our country playing host to some of the biggest global moments in soccer, including the FIFA Men's World
Cup in 2026, Summer Olympics in 2028 and (possibly) the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031.
Countries fiercely compete for the privilege to host any one of these global sporting events. I know
firsthand, having participated in two thrilling and contentious World Cup bids in the past 15 years.
Beyond prestige and at a time of geopolitical conflict and tension, global sporting events are a rare
opportunity to set aside differences and rejoice in the human spirit that binds us together across races,
borders, and ideologies.
They are also massive business opportunities with billions of dollars at stake.
WHAT IS THE ROI?
While hosting FIFA World Cup matches is undoubtedly cause for celebration, the 11 U.S. cities that will
welcome crowds to the '26 tournament must each raise tens of millions of dollars for that privilege. Private
investment from corporations and individuals will cover many costs, but public funding and other resources
will also be required.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE LIVES
it couldn't come at a better time. Our nation is deeply divided, and our youth are facing unprecedented
challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 44% of American teens are
persistently sad or hopeless, and about 5.8`million children aged 3-17 had diagnosed anxiety in
2016-2019. Couple this with 75% of youth not getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per
day; our youth are headed directly toward worsening physical and mental health.
Team sports, specifically soccer; are an antidote to this crisis and will help us avoid raising a generation of
unhappy, unhealthy young people.
Soccer provides a vehicle to connect youth with trained coach -mentors who leverage the playing
experience to help young people develop critical life skills like teamwork and steer kids away from negative
social behaviors. After the. pandemic, when restrictions on sports were lifted, half of parents said their
child's mental health improved according to Aspen Institute's Project Play. Yet Aspen's Project Play also
showed that access to youth sports is deeply fissured along socioeconomic lines, with 75% of children
living in households that earn less than $25,000 not playing sports.
The solution is simple, and we already have a framework. As host committees, sponsors, and government
officials plan for 2026, they must prioritize legacy investments that increase access to the game and
support proven soccer programs in the communities where the need is greatest. They must ensure that a
percentage of proceeds are directed toward these sports -based youth development programs that benefit
the most vulnerable populations.
We,'ve already seen some host committees step up to the plate -such as the New York/New Jersey Host
Committee, which has committed to investing in positive outcomes for youth living in the regiion's most
underserved areas.
They are ensuring that this moment will benefit millions in their area -not just those who get a ticket to
watch a match at MetLife or even the economic boost that the area will see.
A CALL TO ACTION
America's mega -decade of soccer will undoubtedly create millions of new fans and generate billions for the
sport. As an avid soccer fan, the prospect of soccerr becoming even more firmly embedded in our culture
excites me.
Imagine, however, if the legacy of the 2026 World Cup could be something even greater.
If we make the right investments, soccer's mega -decade can help catalyze a generation of healthier
children and stronger communities.
If the lives of residents in some of the nation's most under-resourced ZIP codes are better, if our nation is
healthier and more united -that is an enduring legacytruly worth celebrating.
It's up to all of us to insist that this happens.
Ed Foster -Simeon is the president and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.