As World Cup fever takes hold, commercials become more patriotic, the U.S. national team jerseys suddenly appear on the backs of influencers, and a few outlets inevitably dust off the “monthlong Super Bowl” take. All of which is magnified this summer as the U.S. co-hosts the 2026 edition.

The U.S. men’s national team did its part to fuel this optimism, opening the tournament with a

. But the U.S. women have Brandi Chastain’s penalty celebration in 1999, which remains bigger than any men’s soccer image this country has produced; Lloyd’s historic hat trick against Japan in the 2015 final was far from the first time a U.S. player scored multiple goals in a single World Cup game; and Rapinoe’s pink hair, outstretched arms and unapologetic persona, which became instantly recognizable globally.

That differentiation matters.