The 49-year-old, who has been building an MLS club in St. Louis for more than two years, told the German press agency, the tournament could be “very similar to the one in Germany”. “According to the motto: Welcome friends. And there’s something for everyone.”

The 1994 World Cup was already well organized in the United States, “but since then football has grown in importance here”. He feels great gaiety all around him. “St. Louis is an absolutely football-obsessed city. Our home games are sold out until 2025,” says Pfannenstiel. “But you can also see in many other areas of the United States that the sport is booming endlessly. Whether in terms of infrastructure, stadiums or academies – there’s a lot happening everywhere. Besides, but the World Cup Not just in relation. American football is changing the whole face.”

There is still some catching up to do in the league (MLS). “But soccer is the fastest growing sport in America,” says the former goalkeeper, who played in several countries during his career: “And MLS is the fastest growing professional league. It’s not just aging professionals anymore. who come for the final contract, like Bastian Schweinsteiger or Zlatan Ibrahimovic.”

Can USA also be title contenders in three and a half years? “If they put the squad together and train three or four good guys, especially in defense, they will definitely be more than just competitive,” Pfannenstiel says. “But at least no one is openly talking about the title. And it’s not realistic either. Not yet.” The 2026 World Cup should only be an intermediate goal. “When the American sets his mind to something, he pulls it off. Certainly, always optimistically-critical and positively aggressive.”