Rob Gronkowski argues that American football diverts elite athletes from soccer, capping the USMNT’s potential ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The United States boasts plenty of athletic talent, but many of the quickest runners, highest jumpers, top receivers, and agile defensive backs commit to football early, leaving soccer short of its best prospects.

Gronkowski’s Bold Theory on Football’s Dominance

Gronkowski, a former NFL star, contends that football hinders the development of a powerhouse U.S. men’s soccer team. “I think football, our football in America, kind of ruined our soccer game. Kind of ruined our soccer team for USA because all our best athletes play the game of American football,” he stated.

He emphasized the potential impact of redirecting top talents. “If those athletes started at a young age, like our wide receivers and DBs, the best athletes in the world… If we didn’t have American football, I believe that Team USA would be a top three [soccer] team in the world,” Gronkowski added.

This perspective highlights how U.S. youth prioritize football, basketball, baseball, or track over soccer, unlike nations that channel their premier athletes into the global sport from childhood. With the 2026 World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, expectations for the USMNT intensify.

USWNT Success Underscores the Gap

Gronkowski contrasts the men’s team with the dominant USWNT, which thrives by securing elite female athletes early. “That’s why I believe our women’s team is so good because they get their best athletes to play right from the beginning,” he explained. “But we take away our soccer athletes and we make them become American football players. I believe we kind of ruined that sport because we just have American football.”

The USWNT’s storied achievements stand in stark relief to the USMNT’s quest for global breakthroughs. Current standouts like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, and Folarin Balogun demonstrate real promise, yet Gronkowski points to an untapped layer of athlete-types—speedy receivers and nimble defensive backs—that could elevate the squad if nurtured in soccer from youth.

While a top-three ranking remains ambitious, Gronkowski’s critique sparks vital discussion on America’s sports pipeline as the 2026 tournament approaches.