Arsène Wenger: US Soccer Development Depends on
July 18, 2026 ·
In a discussion with US Soccer leaders, Arsène Wenger stressed the need for sustainable soccer development and access for all young players in the US, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Arsène Wenger: US Soccer Development Depends on
According to Sports.
Why this is important
Arsène Wenger's statement regarding the development of football in the US shows FIFA's commitment to improving the quality of the game in the country. With support from the leadership of US Soccer and Major League Soccer, there is hope to overcome the structural barriers that have hindered the progress of soccer in the US. This is important to ensure that all young players, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have equal access to develop their talents.
Main Points
- Arsène Wenger: US Soccer Development Depends on.
- In a discussion with US Soccer leaders, Arsène Wenger stressed the need for sustainable soccer development and access for all young players in the US, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Arsène Wenger: US soccer development will depend on 'consistency' and 'education' - Yahoo Sports.
Arsène Wenger, FIFA's head of global soccer development, stated that although the United States faces many structural obstacles to becoming a real soccer power, many of those obstacles are beginning to be overcome by leadership at the US Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer (MLS). In a unanimous meeting held on Thursday with US Soccer CEO, JT Batson, and COO, Dan Helfrich, Wenger heaped praise on the federation for the construction of its new $250 million headquarters in Fayetteville, Georgia. He said: "I feel it is important for every footballer, everywhere, to feel at home."
Wenger explained, "We are pushing, with the support of our president [Gianni Infantino], to develop football in the US, because diversity is what football loves and what makes it strong. With a population of 350 million people, I am sure there is a lot of talent. We [at FIFA] work together to give everyone the opportunity to develop the game and love the game."
However, Wenger also reminded that there is still a lot of work to be done on the pitches around the complex. The former Arsenal coach stated that until recently, there was no alignment on global technical development policies in the United States. He stressed that, given the country's vast geographic context and diverse football ecosystem, decisions on how to move forward should be taken by the federation, not by FIFA.
Wenger also criticized the US soccer development system, particularly the pay-to-play model that can cost families tens of thousands of dollars a year to participate in youth soccer. "From the outside, I feel that people from poor backgrounds don't have real access to the game," Wenger revealed, "and that's a big part of the population. Typically, the best footballers come from poor backgrounds, so there's probably work to be done to make it possible and available to everyone and, after that, to be consistent because this isn't a short-term fix."
Wenger compared the current effort, which saw teams in MLS, the US Soccer League (USL) and other leagues start setting up free academies for elite players in a region, to those his country did decades ago. "I was part of the opening of the first academy in France and it took 10 years. In 1973, the first academy was opened in France. In 1984, France won the European Championship. You have to be consistent, and one of the things that is most neglected is talent identification. It requires insight, education and consistency to always give opportunities to young players, to identify who is talented in five years – not now – and that is not easy to develop in every country."
Before moving on, Batson emphasized that this is not a cheap endeavor. "It's going to take time and it's going to be hard, and you have to commit and really persevere," Batson said. "I think it's our commitment to do that. But I think ultimately, it requires resources."
"It's no coincidence that the teams that have gone furthest in this tournament are some of the best-resourced federations in the world. They're able to ensure access. They're able to provide good opportunities. They're able to ensure there's good training. And they have great government support. They have great community support. They have great professional club support. Everyone is working together with a shared mission to make this happen. And I think that's the opportunity we have after this summer."
Helfrich added that efforts to make youth programs more affordable will require opening new “systems” rather than simply making current operations more affordable. "We're not trying to make the current system more affordable; we're trying to create a new system that we then make very affordable," Helfrich said. "This is a very important difference. We need a different system. We need a system that opens the way for more players."
What happened next
Going forward, Wenger emphasized the need for the US soccer federation to make strategic decisions in the development of soccer, considering the diversity and breadth of the country's geography. With the new headquarters and initiatives from FIFA, it is hoped that there will be improvements in infrastructure and training programs. If these steps are implemented well, the US could become a more competitive soccer power on a global level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Arsène Wenger say about the development of soccer in the US?
Arsène Wenger stated that the development of soccer in the US depends on 'consistency' and 'education', and acknowledged that many structural obstacles are starting to be overcome by leadership at the US Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer.
Who was present at the meeting with Arsène Wenger?
During the meeting, Arsène Wenger met with the CEO of US Soccer, JT Batson, and COO, Dan Helfrich.
Why does Arsène Wenger emphasize the importance of developing soccer in the US now?
Wenger emphasized the importance of developing football in the US because of the diversity and potential talent in a country with a population of 350 million people.
What changes does Wenger recognize in the development of soccer in the US?
Wenger acknowledged that the US Soccer Federation's new $250 million headquarters in Fayetteville, Georgia, was a positive step in the development of soccer.
What is Wenger's criticism of the football development system in the US?
Wenger criticized the pay-to-play model for making the cost of youth football participation so high, preventing access for children from poor backgrounds.