The US Postal Service issued its North American Soccer stamp at the 2026 Boston World Exposition as part of the stamp show’s sports theme day on May 29. The new release comes as soccer’s popularity continues to rise in the United States, particularly among younger Americans, with millions playing at youth and high school levels.
Anticipation is building for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament is set to begin in Mexico on June 11 and will conclude in New Jersey on July 19. The US will host 78 matches across 11 locations. “America is celebrating its 250th birthday this year. And if that weren’t enough, the FIFA World Cup kicks off in just two weeks, with the US, Canada and Mexico co-hosting the matches,” said USPS Chief Technology Officer Gary Reblin during his dedication of the stamp at the exposition. “Boston itself will host seven World Cup matches. You can really feel the anticipation here, there’s lots of excitement in the air.”
Soccer has a long history in America dating back to early games played by Native Americans before European settlement. By the early nineteenth century, versions combining elements of soccer, football and rugby were played informally with evolving rules. The sport gained traction due to urbanization and immigration later that century.
Efforts to establish professional leagues began as early as 1894 but only took root with formation of the North American Soccer League in 1968; international attention increased when Brazilian star Pelé joined New York Cosmos in 1975. When FIFA brought its World Cup to America for the first time in 1994, it drew a record crowd of over three million fans and helped boost interest nationwide.
Major League Soccer was launched after that success with ten teams; today it features thirty teams—twenty-seven from America and three from Canada—and has attracted global stars such as David Beckham and Lionel Messi. In recent years, MLS became one of the world’s most attended soccer leagues.
Antonio Alcalá served as art director for this new issue after researching global soccer stamps for inspiration before settling on an image showing a player striking a ball midair.
