As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Alliance Française de Washington, DC presents an engaging discussion exploring the history and development of soccer in France and the United States. The program examines how the same sport followed two distinct cultural paths on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

Historian Jonathan Hill leads the conversation, tracing the evolution of football in France from a national passion and cultural institution, while examining the unique trajectory of soccer in the United States, where it developed alongside other dominant professional sports. The discussion highlights key moments, influential figures, and social factors that shaped the sport's place within each country's identity.

The event also considers how globalization, media, immigration, and international competitions have influenced the growth of the game, particularly as North America prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. Attendees will gain insight into the similarities and differences between French and American soccer culture and the sport's increasing global significance.

This presentation is ideal for sports enthusiasts, historians, Francophiles, and anyone interested in the cultural impact of the world's most popular game.