Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

World Cup 2026™

Ivory Coast Earns Dramatic Victory in Philadelphia World Cup Opener

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Philadelphia welcomed its first FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Sunday as Ivory Coast earned a dramatic 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a Group E matchup at Philadelphia Stadium.

After a scoreless battle for much of the match, Ivory Coast found its breakthrough in the 90th minute when second-half substitute Amad Diallo finished off a pass from Wilfried Singo to secure all three points.

Ivory Coast controlled much of the game, particularly in the second half, creating more chances and holding the edge in possession. The match remained level thanks in part to the crossbar, which denied multiple scoring opportunities for both teams throughout the afternoon.

The victory gives Ivory Coast an important start in Group E as the nation looks to advance beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time in its history. Ecuador, which entered the tournament with high expectations, will look to bounce back in its next group stage match.

Philadelphia’s first FIFA World Cup 2026 match delivered late drama and marked the beginning of the city’s role as a host venue for the tournament.

Philadelphia’s role in FIFA World Cup 2026 is just getting started. The city will host four additional group stage matches following the opening match between Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador:

  • June 19: Brazil vs. Haiti
  • June 22: France vs. Iraq
  • June 25: Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire
  • June 27: Croatia vs. Ghana

Fans can follow coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026 and find additional events, watch parties and resources through the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer World Cup Hub.

USMNT Opens FIFA World Cup 2026 with 4-1 Victory Over Paraguay

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The U.S. Men’s National Team opened its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion on Friday night, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in front of more than 70,000 fans in Los Angeles.

Folarin Balogun led the way with two first-half goals, while Gio Reyna added a late goal to cap off a dominant performance. The United States also benefited from an early own goal and received an assist from Christian Pulisic, who became the USMNT’s all-time leader in FIFA World Cup assists.

Pennsylvania soccer fans had plenty to celebrate as Hershey native Christian Pulisic played a key role in the victory, helping create the opening goal before assisting Balogun’s first strike of the night.

The victory places the United States atop Group D after the opening round of matches. The USMNT will continue group play on June 19 against Australia before closing the group stage against Türkiye on June 25.

Pennsylvania Leaders Celebrate Fútbol Day Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™

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HARRISBURG, Pa. — Soccer took center stage at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Wednesday as legislators, tourism leaders and members of the soccer community gathered to celebrate Fútbol Day in Pennsylvania and recognize the sport’s growing impact across the Commonwealth.

Hosted by Pennsylvania Representatives Nathan Davidson and Dave Madsen and Senator Patty Kim, the event highlighted soccer’s continued growth at all levels of the game and the opportunities that come with Pennsylvania’s connection to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Attendees heard a special message from U.S. Men’s National Team forward and Pennsylvania native Christian Pulisic, whose journey from local youth soccer to the international stage serves as an inspiration for players throughout the state. The event also featured remarks from Richard Chinapoo, former Harrisburg Heat player and head coach, who reflected on the growth of soccer throughout Pennsylvania and the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026.

With Philadelphia set to host FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, Pennsylvania will play a visible role in the tournament as communities across the Commonwealth continue to embrace the excitement surrounding the world’s biggest sporting event.

For Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, the celebration reinforced the power of soccer to unite players, families and communities while creating lifelong opportunities both on and off the field.

With more than 120,000 players, coaches and referees participating throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, the sport continues to thrive across the region. Events like Fútbol Day demonstrate the growing support for soccer at every level and the shared commitment to ensuring the game remains accessible for future generations.

With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ set to kick off in the coming days, organizations, community leaders and soccer supporters throughout Pennsylvania continue to celebrate the game’s impact and the opportunities it creates for future generations.

From Eastern Pennsylvania to the FIFA World Cup: Five Local Players Named to USMNT Roster

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The United States Men’s National Team officially announced its roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, with five players connected to Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer earning spots on soccer’s biggest stage.

Among the local standouts selected are goalkeeper Matt Freese (Wayne, Pa.), defender Auston Trusty (Media, Pa.), midfielder Christian Pulisic (Hershey, Pa.), midfielder Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) and defender Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.).

Freese played for Penn Fusion before starring at Harvard University and eventually beginning his professional career with the Philadelphia Union organization. Trusty developed through Nether United and Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program before joining the Philadelphia Union Academy, while Aaronson and McKenzie both came through the Philadelphia Union Academy pathway and represented the Union professionally before making moves to Europe.

Pulisic, meanwhile, spent time playing locally with PA Classics and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever produced from the region.

Together, the five players represent the continued growth and strength of soccer in Eastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding area, with local clubs and development pathways continuing to produce talent at the highest level of the game.

Pulisic enters the tournament with 84 international appearances, 32 goals and 19 assists for the United States. Aaronson has also been a key contributor for the national team with 57 caps, nine goals and seven assists.

McKenzie brings valuable experience to the U.S. back line with 27 appearances and one assist at the international level, while Trusty has earned six caps and two assists since making his senior national team debut. Freese heads into the World Cup with 14 caps and three clean sheets for the United States.

Below is the full United States Men’s National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, along with the team’s group stage schedule.

U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM – FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 ROSTER BY POSITION
(CLUB/COUNTRY; CAPS/GOALS; HOMETOWN)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 0/0; Naperville, Ill.), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 14/0; Wayne, Pa.), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 53/0; Park Ridge, N.J.)

DEFENDERS (10): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 18/1; Fresno, Calif.), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 37/2; Almere, Netherlands), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP; 15/2; Plantation, Fla.), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 27/0; Bear, Del.), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 80/1; St. Louis, Mo.), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 36/3; Birmingham, Ala.), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 52/4; Liverpool, England), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 38/3; Arlington, Mass.), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 24/0; Lake Grove, N.Y.), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 6/0; Media, Pa.)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG; 52/2; Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps; 11/1; Columbus, Ohio), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 64/12; Little Elm, Texas), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 36/9; Bedford, N.Y.), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 45/0; Pico Rivera, Calif.), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER; 28/3; Fürth, Germany)

FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 57/9; Medford, N.J.), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 25/8; London, England), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 35/13; El Paso, Texas), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 84/32; Hershey, Pa.), Tim Weah (Olympique Marseille/FRA; 49/7; Rosedale, N.Y.), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 20/7; Los Angeles, Calif.). Alejandro Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 13/2; El Paso, Texas)

U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM – FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 GROUP STAGE SCHEDULE

  • USMNT vs. Paraguay: June 12 2026 | 9:00PM EDT | Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  • USMNT vs. Australia: June 19 2026 | 3:00PM EDT | Seattle Stadium, Seattle, WA, USA
  • Türkiye vs. USMNT: June 25 2026 | 10:00PM EDT | Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO, Chris Branscome, to Speak at “The Economics of the World Cup” Event

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome will be among the featured speakers at The Economics of the World Cup, an upcoming event hosted by the British American Business Council on May 21 in Philadelphia.

Held in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the event will bring together leaders from sport, tourism, and the international business community to explore the global economic impact of the world’s largest sporting event.

Branscome will join a panel that includes Meg Kane (FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia™), Larry Needle (PHL Sports, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau), and Andrew Rocks (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP).

The discussion will examine how the World Cup drives investment, tourism, infrastructure development, and long-term regional growth. With matches set to take place in Philadelphia, the conversation will also highlight the opportunities the tournament presents for the city and surrounding region.

Panelists will draw on insights from past tournaments while looking ahead to 2026, as global attention turns to North America. The event will also provide a networking opportunity for attendees to connect with professionals and decision-makers from across the region.

Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.

Register here: babcphl.com/2026/03/the-economics-of-the-world-cup/

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Hosts Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond presented by Bank of America at Independence Visitor Center

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer welcomed leaders from across the sports and business community to the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia on April 22 for Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond, presented by Bank of America.

The afternoon brought together professionals from soccer, marketing, and communications to explore how the game is evolving in the lead-up to 2026 and what that means for brands, organizations, and the fan experience.

Headlining the event was keynote speaker Catherine Newman, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for U.S. Soccer, who shared insight into the Federation’s approach to storytelling, fan engagement, and building momentum ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The panel discussion featured Derek Aframe (EVP, Octagon), Marc Horine (Chief Business Officer & Founding Partner, For Soccer), and Garrett Shea (President, Sports, Sponsorships and Events Consulting, LLC), who offered perspectives on sponsorship trends, the growth of soccer in the United States, and how organizations can better connect with audiences in an increasingly competitive sports landscape.

Throughout the program, speakers emphasized the opportunity surrounding 2026, not just as a moment for the sport, but as a catalyst for long-term growth across communities, businesses, and the broader soccer ecosystem.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer would like to thank Bank of America for its support in making Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond possible.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Joins SoccerFest 2026 to Expand Youth Opportunities

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As excitement builds around the FIFA World Cup 26™ this summer, new opportunities to connect with the game are coming to the Lehigh Valley.

SoccerFest 2026, hosted by ArtsQuest at SteelStacks from June 11 to July 19, will feature an expanded lineup of youth programming designed to engage players of all ages and introduce new families to the sport.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be part of that effort, helping bring high-quality soccer experiences to the region through clinics, 3v3 tournaments and youth-focused events held alongside World Cup watch parties.

Programming will take place throughout the festival and reflects the continued growth of the game both nationally and within eastern Pennsylvania, where more than 110,000 players participate in Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer programs each year.

Local clubs, including Penn Rising XI, will also play a role in delivering programming, with coaches helping lead clinics and 3v3 tournaments throughout the event.

SoccerFest Youth Programming Includes:

3v3 Youth Tournaments (Ages 9–14)
Saturday, June 13 (Girls)
Sunday, June 14 (Boys)
Registration closes June 1 at noon

Free Adaptive Clinic (Ages 5–14)
Saturday, June 20

Free Youth Clinic (Ages 5–12)
Saturday, June 20

Youth Field Trips (Ages 5–18)
Monday, June 22 & Tuesday, June 23
Includes campus tours, soccer-themed activities and World Cup match viewing

Free Spanish-Language Youth Clinic (Ages 5–14)
Saturday, June 27

Spots are still available for all youth programming, with registration required.

For more information and to register, visit the SoccerFest page on the ArtsQuest website.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Part of Lehigh Valley Soccer Festival & Viewing Party This Summer

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The Lehigh Valley Soccer Festival & Viewing Party is coming to SteelStacks from June 11 through July 19 as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration. The monthlong event will bring fans together for match watch parties, entertainment, and youth-focused programming throughout the summer.

As part of the festival, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be involved in youth programming designed to inspire the next generation of players, including clinics and 3v3 opportunities for young athletes of all abilities. The event highlights the continued growth of soccer in the Lehigh Valley and creates opportunities for players and families to engage with the game in a fun, community-centered environment.

Don’t miss the Lehigh Valley Soccer Festival & Viewing Party at SteelStacks this summer. For more information, click here.

Philadelphia’s 2026 World Cup™ Match Lineup 

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Philadelphia will host six FIFA World Cup™ matches at Lincoln Financial Field this summer, bringing global talent and international fanbases to the region. The slate includes group stage action featuring Brazil, France, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Croatia, and more, followed by a Round of 16 match on July 4.  

Fans across Eastern Pennsylvania will have the chance to experience World Cup™ soccer in their own backyard as the city takes the global stage.  

Philadelphia Schedule: 

  • June 14: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (7 P.M.) 
  • June 19: Brazil vs. Haiti (9 P.M.) 
  • June 22: France vs. FIFA Playoff Winner 2 (5 P.M.) 
  • June 25: Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast (4 P.M.) 
  • June 27: Croatia vs. Ghana (5 P.M.) 
  • July 4: Round of 16 Match (5 P.M.)