A new poll finds that while the World Cup attracts attention among soccer fans in the United States, it has not yet translated into a broad popularity surge for the sport. The Independent reports that Ipsos Sports polling, provided to the Associated Press, indicates World Cup coverage and match excitement have energized soccer supporters and increased interest among Americans. However, results also suggest the sport continues to struggle to reach mainstream status compared with more established American pastimes. The reporting frames the situation as a gap between heightened engagement during the tournament and longer-term traction in the US sports landscape. The second source, Winnipeg Free Press, presents the same core finding: Americans show interest related to the World Cup, but the US is not yet widely characterized as a “soccer nation.” Across the coverage, the emphasis remains on the difference between short-term tournament interest and sustained national popularity.