The report quotes Fjeldberg hoping the tournament has helped Americans see the sport beyond its domestic borders.
“Espero que tenha aberto os olhos de algumas pessoas para o tamanho global do esporte, porque acho que isso às vezes é um pouco deixado de lado aqui. O quanto ele é realmente grande. Tomara que isso atraia as crianças, talvez elas queiram jogar futebol agora”
That argument goes to the heart of football’s growth in the country. A World Cup can introduce casual viewers to new teams, cultures and playing styles, while giving young fans a reason to pick up a ball. The harder task is converting that curiosity into regular attendance, youth participation and support for local clubs.
Khori Bennett described a similar sense of disorientation once the tournament ended.
“Agora está tudo em silêncio. Estou tentando descobrir o que fazer em seguida. Depois da final, fiquei tipo: e agora? Não sei o que vem agora”
For players, the contrast can be particularly sharp. The World Cup dominates attention, then the noise disappears almost overnight. The regular club calendar may feel smaller, but it is where football’s long-term relationships are built.
Bennett is already looking beyond the immediate aftermath, with Jamaica’s qualification for the 2030 World Cup forming part of his long-term vision.
“Eu tenho isso escrito, sabe, no meu banheiro. É um objetivo de longo prazo”
The next stretch of Switchbacks fixtures will offer a test of whether the tournament’s energy can survive without the global spotlight. For Bennett, the next storyline is even bigger: turning a private ambition into Jamaica’s return to football’s biggest stage.