As 48 national soccer teams prepare to train in North American cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026, experts suggest the event could influence more than just match outcomes. The presence of elite athletes is expected to spur what psychologists call the ‘demonstration effect,’ where witnessing high-level sports inspires young people to become more active or join sports themselves.
Abbie Wrights, associate teaching professor of Health and Exercise Science at Wake Forest University, said this effect could have a significant impact on younger generations’ health. “I don’t think the goal is to inspire every kid to be a professional soccer player, but I think it can inspire them to move and want to be involved – play in their backyard, play on the playground, maybe join a recreational team,” Wrights said.
Guidelines from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization recommend that children and adolescents aged 6-17 years should engage in at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. However, according to the World Health Organization, 80% of young people worldwide do not meet these recommendations.
Wrights explained that regular physical activity offers not only physical benefits such as stronger hearts and bones but also mental health advantages. She noted that seeing top athletes compete nearby can make these benefits feel more attainable for children: “If I can work hard in a sport, I can work hard in school. I can work hard in my friendships. I can work hard in my volunteer opportunities. Kids who play sports definitely do better in school, so there is that academic transfer as well,” Wrights said.
Wrights added that communities need to sustain momentum after events like the World Cup conclude: “We don’t want to let that excitement fade,” she said. “We want to feed into it by then giving children and adolescents opportunities to get involved. The World Cup is only a starting point.” Research indicates that communities investing in organizations and facilities supporting youth sports are most likely to see lasting effects from such inspiration.
Wake Forest University and the Graylyn Estate will host the German National Team beginning June 8 as it trains for FIFA World Cup 2026.
