Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf and FIFA vice-president, has boldly predicted that Major League Soccer (MLS) could eventually surpass the Premier League to become the world's biggest football league. In an exclusive interview, he discussed the transformative impact of the 2026 World Cup on North American football.
World Cup as a Cultural Revolution
Montagliani believes the tournament will spark a "cultural revolution" in North America, making football a mainstream sport. "Soccer will become our sport, and we will belong in the conversation of a global sport," he said. He highlighted the growth of Canadian soccer, noting that Canada now has its own professional league and clubs selling players to European Champions League teams.
MLS Potential
He emphasized MLS's potential to become the second-biggest league globally, possibly even the first. "Just look at the ownership group – how strong it is and how international it is. Their attitude is we want to be the best in the world," Montagliani stated. He pointed to world-class training facilities and outstanding customer experiences, but noted that the product on the pitch needs more star players and a higher salary cap.
Ticket Prices and Revenue
Defending the tournament's high ticket prices, Montagliani argued that this World Cup represents a peak in FIFA's earning power, with expected revenues of $13bn. "This could be the peak from a World Cup perspective," he said, adding that funds are reinvested into global football. He noted that future Women's World Cups and the Club World Cup offer growth opportunities.
Tournament Expansion
Montagliani supported the current 48-team format but opposed further expansion to 64 teams until after a few cycles. However, he expressed openness to expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams, citing quality and economic benefits. "From a club perspective, there's a lot more quality just because you can buy players," he explained.
Political Independence
Dismissing concerns about political interference, Montagliani insisted that US President Donald Trump will have no impact on the tournament. "It's about football, man," he said, praising collaboration between the US, Canada, and Mexico on security and logistics.
Future Leadership
Montagliani, often tipped as Gianni Infantino's successor, did not rule out a future FIFA presidential bid in 2031. He first aims to secure reelection as Concacaf president next year. "FIFA has been transformed over the last 10 years. FIFA is not just one guy," he said, emphasizing the organization's member-driven governance.
As the World Cup begins, Montagliani remains focused on the game itself. "When the ball rolls, nothing else matters," he concluded.
