Should California be named the soccer capital of the United States?

According to a new study from BetMGM, yes. 

The study analyzed every single USMNT player on the World Cup roster from 1930 through 2022, and no state has produced more World Cup talent than California. 

And it’s not even close. 

California-born players have accounted for 72 combined World Cup match appearances, 23 roster selections and nine goals on the sport’s biggest stage. That’s 10 times more World Cup appearances than any other state. 

A large part of those appearances and goals are thanks to Landon Donovan, the best American men’s player of his generation. Donovan leads all players in caps with 12, and World Cup goals with five. 

New Jersey ranked second with 14 players born in the Garden State and a total of 69 appearances. Missouri was third with 13 players and 40 appearances. 

Interestingly, over half of the U.S. states (27) have never had a player make a single World Cup appearance. 40 of the 50 states have never produced a World Cup goalscorer. 

Now, with USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino expected to announce his 2026 FIFA World Cup roster soon, four more California-born players are expected to be added to the list. 

The study proves that soccer still has a lot of room left to grow in the United States with a lot more places to look for talent. But one thing is certain: California’s fingerprints are once again all over the World Cup.

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