No other competition can compete with the impact the FIFA World CupTM has on players and fans.
On the pitch, it is a lifelong dream for professional players to make the roster and represent their respective countries. Off the pitch, it brings people together, entertain viewers around the globe, and inspires billions of fans to fall in love with the beautiful game.
For Sounders FC players Paul Arriola and Snyder Brunell, its impact is especially personal.
Arriola has made a successful career for himself at the international level, featuring in 50 matches and 34 starts for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Over the course of eight years, he contributed to 10 goals and supported the U.S. to two Concacaf Gold Cup titles (2017, 2021). And while he played a role in the team’s qualification campaign to FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, he was narrowly missed the cut for the final the 26-man roster.
Disappointed at the time, he now views this year’s World Cup and his career without the USMNT in a different light.
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“I did not expect to be inspired like I am right now,” said Arriola. “Earlier on in my career, I would say you watch the World Cup, it's a dream, right? And now, being at the later stage of my career, it's beautiful to watch the fans, the teams.”
He continued: “I think after the 2022 World Cup, being one of the last guys cut from the roster, that World Cup was tough for me to watch. Of course, I did, [but] watching was hard because it hit so close. I think this time just being a little bit removed from the national team, like I said, I think the beauty of it is being able to enjoy it as a spectator.”
At the other end of the spectrum, Snyder Brunell is just getting his career started as a pro player. The 19-year-old Academy alum signed with the Sounders First Team last year and has earned consistent call-ups with various U.S. Youth National Teams. This past month in particular has been a whirlwind for the Kirkland native, who joined the U.S. sU-19 squad for the June FIFA window, contributing to the team’s 5-2 win over Japan. The most exciting highlight came on June 2, however, when Brunell was asked to train with the Senior team in Georgia.
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“They called me in because they needed a midfielder for training,” said Brunell. “All the guys were super nice, super welcoming, and then to train with the guys that are preparing for the World Cup at home, it was just an unreal experience. I thought I played pretty well, so good experience, good connections.”
For Brunell, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has him excited about what the future may hold — especially as he and his fellow teammates have had the opportunity to be around stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who have been training at the Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse over the past two weeks while Belgium competes in the tournament.
“Belgium training at our facility, it's very inspiring to see,” said Brunell. “And to think that that could be me in a few years if I just put my head down and keep working is very inspiring to me.”
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Arriola feels moved by the growth of the game in the U.S., the excitement that he’s seen surrounding the USMNT after defeating Paraguay 4-1 on June 12, and the opportunity his close teammates and friends, like Cristian Roldan, have to compete on the world stage in their home country.
“I know what it's like to represent your country on the big stage, and for me, it's inspiring, specifically to watch the U.S. in their first game. I’m going to the game on Friday [vs. Australia], and looking forward to that,” said Arriola. “I know most of the guys on the team, and so that's definitely cool, but just rooting for them from afar and not having too much skin in the game, it's a really nice thing to watch and enjoy.”
The World Cup is meant for all walks of life, whether you're a casual viewer or a die-hard football fan, a young player looking to earn their first international cap, or a veteran reflecting on their career.
Arriola said it perfectly.
“It's beautiful the way that the game can bring everyone together.”
