How has the 2026 World Cup impacted boys high school soccer in Maine?

Monmouth's Jake Harmon celebrates after the Mustangs scored a goal is scored against Mt. Abram in a game on Sept. 17, 2025. Harmon said he has seen increased excited about soccer at the World Cup was played in America this summer. (Anna Chadwick/Staff Photographer) Marc Keller remembers seeing Spruce Mountain soccer players come to last month's preseason practices sporting jerseys from different World Cup countries. 'To see kids coming, ready to go to practice in an Ivory Coast jersey or Spain jersey or something like that, it was a lot of excitement about (the World Cup),' said Keller. That's just one example of the palpable momentum for soccer present in Maine on the heels of the United States hosting the 2026 World Cup. Keller not only serves as Spruce Mountain's athletic director, but is also the MPA's soccer committee chair. With the season just getting underway, he doesn't have specific numbers about other high school programs in Maine, but one thing's for sure, the Phoenix have never had as many students participating in boys soccer than they've had this fall. The number of players in Spruce Mountain's program is currently in the low 30s, according to Keller. And that may have something to do with the World Cup. Advertisement 'The kids talked a lot about (the World Cup), got together to watch games and things like that,' Keller said. 'So it certainly has had an impact on our program.' Is the World Cup impacting player participation in boys soccer programs across Maine, however? Some coaches across the state aren't seeing the same increase in players. Their programs have fielded pretty steady numbers. 'We've been a steady around 45 to almost 50 players the last four years,' Morse boys soccer coach Chuck Reece said. What Reese and other coaches have noticed more so is the impact the World Cup has had in other areas like the potential effect on youth soccer. 'Where I saw maybe a jump in numbers, it could be from the World Cup, it could be from the fact that we've got a really good travel program established right now for the locals, but there is a bubble at that nine, 10 (year-old) age group that I think is increasing,' Reece said. 'And I think part of it is the World Cup. Those kids are paying attention, too.' Advertisement While his team's size hasn't changed since this summer's World Cup, it has impacted his players, some who are from participating countries beyond just the United States. 'I know listening to my players that they were watching,' Reece said. 'Not just the U.S. team, but they were watching basically all the games and they were paying attention. They were paying attention to other teams coming up through and it was really fun to see them pick teams that they really liked and follow them along. There was obviously some kids that were following closely to the Congo, they come from the Congo, that we've had. We also had kids that were following Portugal, having some of that background.' Joe Fletcher has seen the same excitement on his team at Monmouth Academy, as well as the World Cup's potential impact on youth programs and clinics like the one he runs during the summer. 'All the players were excited about (the World Cup),' Fletcher said. 'Every time we would get together, they'd talk about the game they watched and it was fun to see … The youth clinic that I ran, typically we average between 18 and maybe 20 and we had 30 kids this year, so did it impact? Maybe.' In addition to his youth clinic, Fletcher also runs a week-long camp with help from his high school players. Fans at Thompson's Point react after a U.S. men's soccer team goal was waived off because of an offsides call during the first half of a World Cup round of 32 game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer) 'They act as coaches for World Cup teams that we make among all the players,' Fletcher said. 'It's pretty neat. So our high school players help with the camper week and they each represent a country of their choice. And then they create and design their own T-shirt that they wear. They use felt markers and design their T-shirts and they really buy into it and they love it.' Advertisement Jake Harmon, a senior on the Monmouth boy's soccer team, is one of the players who helps run Fletcher's camp. As a former camper-turned counselor, he's seen up close how integral the camp has become to the Mustangs' program. Beyond that, Harmon said Monmouth has added a couple players that are either new to the sport or making their return, which could be another ripple effect of the World Cup. 'This year, I think we've gained a couple players that this is their first year playing soccer,' Harmon said. 'I can name a couple guys. Josh (Iwuanyanwu), he was on our basketball team. He's a really good athlete. And then Pablo (Calder), he's coming back to soccer after a while … But I'd say definitely the World Cup has helped our program with the numbers and just the energy and guys wanting to play soccer, looking forward to it.' It's hard to quantify exactly how the impact of this summer's World Cup being played on home soil has been felt, and whether or not it's drastically changed roster sizes across Maine is a perfect example. What is evident, though, whether it be from the World Cup or the Portland Hearts of Pine, growing youth programs or summertime clinics, is that the momentum surrounding soccer in the state is high, just in time for the start of the high school season.