Alan Rothenberg, architect of the 1994 World Cup and a founder of MLS, warns the 2026 tournament will feel “night and day” compared with 1994 as the United States readies to host 78 matches in 11 cities; his new memoir revisits the playbook that grew U.S. soccer while flagging how FIFA’s retention of control and decentralized host committees fundamentally change delivery and legacy risks.
Rothenberg frames 2026 as structurally different from 1994
Alan Rothenberg — who organized the 1994 World Cup, helped launch Major League Soccer and chaired the 1999 Women’s World Cup — says the organizational model for 2026 is fundamentally altered. Where 1994 saw a single U.S.-run company manage venues, staff and marketing, 2026 returns more control to FIFA and disperses day-to-day responsibility across 11 independent host committees.
That matters because coordination, consistency and authority were clear advantages in 1994. “It’s night and day,” Rothenberg says, noting FIFA kept international TV and marketing rights in 1994 but otherwise let the U.S. organizers run the event like a company, with employees and nine venues under direct control.
What changed: FIFA’s role and host committees
Centralized control vs. decentralized delivery
The 1994 model centralized decision-making and staffing, allowing swift replacements and uniform standards. For 2026, FIFA has retained more control over rights and enforces contracts with each host city, but it does not micromanage local committees. That fragmentation increases complexity: each committee is structured differently and must deliver to the same global standard.
Operational implications
A decentralized model shifts the burden of operational excellence onto local host committees. That can yield stronger local engagement and tailored fan experiences, but it raises the bar for cross-city consistency — from stadium operations to ticketing, fan safety and broadcast readiness.
Rothenberg’s book and the legacy conversation
The Big Bounce and the origin story
Rothenberg’s memoir, The Big Bounce, revisits the strategic decisions that turned 1994 into a catalyst for U.S. soccer growth. He describes the 1994 campaign as a deliberate business operation that left a lasting legacy: the birth of MLS, a surge in domestic interest and the foundation for future women’s and men’s tournaments.
Memory, reunion and perspective
Writing the book was conversational for Rothenberg — less a legal brief than a recollection. His recent events became reunions, drawing former colleagues and 1994 teammates. Those gatherings reinforced the sense that 1994’s success was as much about people and relationships as about infrastructure.
Why this analysis matters to U.S. soccer and fans
Delivery vs. perception
Rothenberg believes once play begins, “pre-event consternation” fades and attention shifts to the pitch. That’s a seasoned view: on-field competition often overrides organizational controversy. Still, the way matches are staged shapes long-term perceptions — from attendance and TV presentation to local investment in facilities and youth programs.
Legacy for MLS and the women’s game
A successful 2026 can accelerate league growth, sponsorship and participation across men’s and women’s soccer in the United States. Rothenberg’s track record with MLS and the 1999 Women’s World Cup shows how a well-run global event can transform domestic infrastructure and fan culture.
Risks and what to watch
Consistency across 11 cities
The biggest operational challenge is standardization. Disparate host committees risk variable matchday experiences. Stakeholders should watch centralized protocols for security, accesibility, and broadcast feeds — areas where inconsistency can be most visible to global audiences.
Contract enforcement and accountability
FIFA’s role as contract enforcer rather than on-the-ground manager places emphasis on clear deliverables and penalties. That structure can work if enforcement is swift and transparent; if not, local failures could tarnish the tournament’s reputation despite strong on-field narratives.
Bottom line: optimism tempered by structural reality
Rothenberg’s view is bullish: once the ball starts rolling, soccer will command attention and much pre-tournament worry will dissipate. His memoir reminds the game that successful events are built on rigorous planning, cohesive teams and institutional memory.
For 2026, the U.S. has the stadiums, fan base and experience — but the decentralized model raises execution risk that organizers must manage tightly to secure the tournament’s legacy.
Sporting News
.jpg-1779981430.webp?w=150&q=70&fit=cover)
