The 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking place across North America in another monumental moment for the world's game in our country.
Tournaments of this scale can have a seismic impact on the development of the sport, inspiring the next generation with core memories and to chase the dream themselves.
The last World Cup to be hosted here in 1994 brought along the birth of Major League Soccer (MLS), which governs the league that Chattanooga FC's men's professional team competes in: MLS NEXT Pro.
While MLS takes a hiatus during the World Cup, MLS NEXT Pro will stay in session, with five home matches taking place during the Summer of Soccer.
There are many connections between CFC and the players and teams taking part in the World Cup—some more circuitous than others.
USA
When Chattanooga FC hosted Atlanta United on January 28, 2023, current US men's national team centerback Miles Robinson started in the back for the Five Stripes.
In the club's first season in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024, rising star and current USMNT defender Alex Freeman, who was with Orlando City B at the time, played at Finley Stadium on two different occasions. CFC's MLS NEXT Director, Miguel Rodrigues, also coached Freeman at youth level.
In one of the club's most historic occasions, CFC hosted New York Cosmos B on August 8, 2015 in the NPSL National Championship with a crowd of 18,227 on hand, which still stands as the U.S. record attendance for an amateur soccer match. In the Cosmos line-up that day was Hanif Wright, the younger brother of US men's national team forward Haji Wright.
ARGENTINA
Chattanooga FC defender Farid Sar-Sar joined the club from Inter Miami CF II in January 2024. The Argentinian trained with none other than Lionel Messi on multiple occasions during his time in Miami.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND SWITZERLAND
Chattanooga FC goalkeeper and 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year Eldin Jakupović was born in Kozarac, Bosnia and Herzegovina and represented Switzerland at senior international level. Jakupović also represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at youth international level. He made one appearance for the Swiss national team, was called up to the team for UEFA EURO 2008 and for two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, but was an unused substitute. As fate would have it, for the 2026 World Cup, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina are in Group B together and will face off on June 18 in Los Angeles.
Jakupović's connections to World Cup players are vast. During his time with Leicester City he was teammates with Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez, Türkiye centerback Çağlar Söyüncü and Belgium defender Timothy Castagne and midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Jakupović then spent a season with Everton in 2022/2023 when he was teammates with current England No1 Jordan Pickford, Scotland defender Nathan Patterson, Colombia defender Yerry Mina, Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana, Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
Jakupović's final stop before arriving in Chattanooga came at LAFC in MLS in 2023 where he was teammates with Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
SPAIN IN CHATTANOOGA
Of course the club's connections with the World Cup extend beyond player relationships. 2026 contenders Spain chose Chattanooga as its basecamp for throughout the group stage; a truly monumental moment in the city's soccer history. Global superstar Lamine Yamal can be found at local grocery stores, Alex Baena can be seen stopping in local coffee shops; it's a beautiful time to be in Chattanooga.
The club will be hosting several watch parties throughout the tournament. We hope to see you there!
