If FIFA is looking for a historic stadium with a proven fanbase and soccer culture in the area, they should look no further than Beaver Stadium.

The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event on the planet, and it’s not close. The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France attracted 1.5 billion viewers globally. Over the course of the entire tournament, FIFA estimates that roughly five billion people watched at least part of the competition.

The 2026 World Cup is taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will feature a record 48 teams, with audience numbers expected to climb higher than ever before. A larger tournament and more games for the three host nations will likely shatter viewership records.

“It’s going to be the biggest sporting event in the history of the world,” U.S. men’s national team legend Landon Donovan told the reporters of Sports Illustrated.

“When all is said and done, this has the potential to be the biggest event in history,” USMNT teammate and FOX analyst Alexi Lalas said.

Many teams have chosen to prepare for the tournament by playing “friendlies” across the country. Champions of the world Argentina have announced they will be playing at two of college football’s most iconic venues. Lionel Messi will face off against Honduras on June 6 at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. The world champions will then travel to Auburn, Alabama, to face off against Iceland in Jordan-Hare Stadium on June 9.

Beaver Stadium stands out as a natural next destination. It offers the second-largest capacity in the country, a passionate fanbase, and a unique gameday atmosphere that could rival any venue in the world.

The college football cathedral set its attendance record of 111,030 a few years back against Ohio State. This proves that State College already has the infrastructure to support massive, global-scale events. The small town can handle surges in demand for hotels, transportation, dining, and public safety all at once while providing an amazing experience for fans.

A 2014 friendly match between Real Madrid and Manchester United at Michigan Stadium set the U.S. record for soccer attendance. 109,318 fans can sell out the packed big house to see stars like Cristiano Ronaldo. Snatching the record from the Big Ten rivals would be a nice advantage in the rivalry between the schools. Holding the title for soccer attendance would be yet another bragging right that Penn State could hold.

Another argument people could make against games at Beaver is that the stadium is in the middle of nowhere. In reality, soccer fans have proven time and time again that distance and location don’t matter. Over three million people flocked to the Middle East for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The same number of fans also made the trek to Russia for the 2018 World Cup. Both countries are not renowned for their footballing culture, but they still gave fans amazing experiences.

The arrival of Messi at Inter Miami marked a turning point for soccer culture in the United States. For years, Major League Soccer (MLS) chased global relevance, which Messi delivered overnight. His joining brought attention and value to MLS. It shows that MLS is now a serious destination for world-class talent. Young players now grow up watching the greatest of all time compete on U.S. soil, making the dream feel more real than ever.

The state of Pennsylvania has been quietly growing its own soccer culture. U.S. Men’s National Team star Christian Pulisic was born and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania. An influential player for some of the biggest clubs in the world, he is considered by many to be the best American soccer player to ever play in Europe. The former Chelsea winger now scores goals regularly for Italian club AC Milan.

Pulisic has made an impact on the youth as an inspirational and relatable player from rural Pennsylvania. The 2025 ESPY winner for best soccer player is still a direct contributor to local soccer development in central Pennsylvania. Youth across the Keystone State are starting to break out thanks to the groundwork Pulisic laid. One special teenager is earning international fame out of Pennsylvania, and likely won’t be the last to do so.

Cavan Sullivan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At 14 years and 293 days, he became the youngest ever professional player in Major League Soccer. He is younger than any player who has appeared in the NBA, NHL, NFL, or MLB since at least 1970. The Philadelphia Union midfielder has a unique clause in his expensive contract.

The clause will see Sullivan transfer to Manchester City on his 18th birthday to continue his development. Sullivan will have the luxury of holding a roster spot on one of the best teams in the world as an 18-year-old. Manager Pep Guardiola has highly praised American prodigy, calling him an “elite generational talent for the future.”

An 18-year-old playing for the former world champions makes headlines all over Europe. An American 18-year-old having a spot in such a historical and winning club is absolutely unheard of. It challenges long-standing perceptions about where elite soccer talent can come from. The American pipeline is now beginning to produce players capable of thriving at the highest level of the sport. The next global superstar could just as easily come from the United States as anywhere else, and we’re starting to see that with the Men’s National Team.

The USMNT is playing in its second World Cup in a row. In 2022, it showed glimpses of its potential by getting a point from England in the group stage and a win against an underrated Iran. The Stars and Stripes went out swinging against the Netherlands in the round of 16. With an average age of 25, they were the second-youngest team in the tournament. Those same core players have gained more experience, with most just now hitting their prime.

The USMNT boasts stars all over Europe. Weston McKennie has been controlling the Juventus midfield for years in Italy. Antonee Robinson has proved he is a world-class defender, defending against the biggest names in football for Fulham. Haji Wright has helped lead Coventry City back to the top tier of English football for the first time in 25 years. New manager and proven winner Mauricio Pochettino will have a tough task of choosing a team out of such a deep pool of American players. Former USMNT managers have never had that luxury before.

The game is expanding faster than ever in the United States. The case for bringing a match to Beaver Stadium is impossible to ignore. The rise of American talent, the growing soccer culture across Pennsylvania, and the proven ability of State College to host massive crowds are all reasons why it could benefit both parties. If FIFA is truly looking to grow the game in meaningful ways, this is an opportunity it shouldn’t pass up.