Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

World Cup 2026™

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.) 

U.S. Men’s National Team Returns to Subaru Park with Strong Local Ties

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When the U.S. Men’s National Team takes the field at Subaru Park on November 15, fans in Eastern Pennsylvania will see more than a world-class matchup with several familiar faces taking the field close to home.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 25-player roster features several players with deep roots in the Philadelphia area, including three who came through the Philadelphia Union Academy and grew up playing in the Eastern Pennsylvania youth soccer community.

Brenden Aaronson, the Medford, New Jersey native rose through the Union Academy before starring for the first team, returns to the stadium where his professional career began. Mark McKenzie, another former Union homegrown, developed in the academy systems and quickly became one of the most respected young defenders in the country. Auston Trusty, born in Media and a product of Nether United and the Union Academy, continues his rise on the international stage after years of representing the region with pride.

Fans will get the chance to cheer on the local standouts as the USMNT hosts World-Cup bound Paraguay at Subaru Park on Saturday, November 15 at 5 P.M. To purchase tickets, click here.

DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 11/0), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena/ITA; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 3/0)

DEFENDERS (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 14/1), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 35/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 11/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse FC/FRA; 24/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 78/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 37/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 21/0), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel/GER; 4/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 4/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 52/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 7/0), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG; 11/0), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 32/8), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 41/0), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon/FRA; 10/0), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0)

FORWARDS (5): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 54/9), Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco/FRA; 27/7), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 16/3), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/13), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 19/7)

FIFA World Cup 26™ Ticket Sales Open Today 

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The wait is over. Starting today, fans can take their first step toward experiencing the biggest FIFA World Cup™ yet, as the Visa Presale Draw Officially opens on Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 A.M.  

How to Apply 
Fans must register with FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets to enter the draw. Once registered, qualifying Visa cardholders can log in and submit their entry during the presale period. The draw is open from Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 A.M. E.T. until Friday, September 19 at 11:00 A.M. E.T. 

Thanks to FIFA’s Official Payment Technology Partner, Visa, fans will enjoy a secure and seamless checkout process. The Visa Presale Draw is subject to official rules on FIFA.com, and entrants must be 18 or older. No purchase is necessary to enter.  

Ticket Details 

  • Group-stage tickets start at just $60 
  • Tickets for all 104 will be made available in this phase, along with team-specific and venue-specific packages 

After the draw closes, succesful applicants will be randomly selected and notified by email beginning September 29. Each winner will receive a purchase window starting October 1. Please note: a successful entry does not guarantee ticket availability during the assigned time slot.  

Upcoming Phases 
Additional opportunities to purchase tickets are coming: 

  • Phase 2 (October 2025): Early Ticket Draw 
  • Phase 3 (After Final Draw): Random Selection Draw 
  • Closer to the Tournament: First-come, first-serve sales on any remaining inventory 

FIFA will also launch an official resale platform later this year to protect fans form invalid or unauthorized resales.  

Philadelphia Soccer 2026 Invests $2 Million in Youth Soccer Across Pennsylvania, with Long-Term Support for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Through World Cup 2026™ Legacy Program 

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Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the Host Committee for FIFA World Cup 26™ in Philadelphia, has announced a $2 million investment in youth soccer across the City of Philadelphia as part of a new partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation. This partnership will launch 26 soccer-related legacy projects leading up to and following the 2026 tournament, focused on creating more equitable access to the sport. 

As part of this legacy initiative, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will receive long-term support through a dedicated endowment. This 10-year fund will help expand local programming and continue using the game as a tool for social impact on and off the field. 

“Hosting the World Cup is a tremendous opportunity, but the true impact will come from what’s left behind,” said Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome. “This partnership allows us to expand programming, improve access, and support the game at the local level. We’re proud to be part of a broader effort that will benefit communities across the state long after the final match.” 

These projects will include building new mini-pitches in underserved communities, expanding the Foundation’s Soccer for Success and Coach-Mentor Training programs, and providing more kids with safe spaces and quality coaching. 

This announcement highlights the shared commitment between Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and organizations like Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer to use the excitement of the World Cup as an opportunity for long-term growth. 

Organizations interested in becoming part of this legacy work can complete a Legacy Inquiry Form through Philadelphia Soccer 2026.