There's nothing quite like a World Cup to turn casual observers into full-blown tactical analysts—even if they started out as golf buddies who couldn't care less about soccer. U.S. legend Landon Donovan recently shared a hilarious snapshot of how his friends have completely flipped their stance on the beautiful game.
Just a month ago, Donovan's golf crew was lukewarm at best. “The World Cup is cool but I just don’t see myself ever getting into it that much,” they told him. Fast-forward to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and those same friends are now dropping advanced tactical observations. “Norway really benefitted from using Odegaard tilted right in the half space to help open space for Haaland and Sorloth,” they texted him, complete with laughing emojis. Donovan posted the exchange on social media, summing up the sentiment: “My golf friends a month ago … My golf friends today.”
It’s a transformation that many American sports fans can relate to. The 2026 World Cup, hosted across North America, has drawn in viewers who might normally tune out soccer. From casual fans to celebrities like Tom Brady—who tweeted “Best World Cup ever????”—the tournament is generating buzz far beyond traditional soccer circles. Even former NFL star Chad Johnson weighed in, noting the goal-fest in the group stage and predicting a tighter, more tactical knockout phase.
Donovan, who was on the call for Norway’s thrilling win over Brazil in New Jersey, saw Erling Haaland score twice to lead his country into the quarterfinals. The match showcased the kind of drama that converts skeptics. And as the tournament rolls on, with England facing Mexico at Azteca Stadium on Sunday night, the excitement only builds.
This isn’t the first time Donovan has been at the center of a World Cup moment. He recently celebrated FIFA overturning a punishment for Folarin Balogun, calling it justice. But his friends’ shift from golf-course banter to tactical breakdowns might be the most telling sign of soccer’s growing place in American sports culture.
The World Cup continues Monday with two more Round of 16 games. And if Donovan’s golf buddies are any indication, the number of armchair analysts—and genuine fans—will only keep growing. After all, when you can get a group of golfers debating half-space positioning, you know the tournament has done its job.
