David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo – these are just some of the biggest names to have dominated the sport of soccer, but it appears they do not truly hold all the power.
All eyes will be on the United States for the next five weeks as World Cup mania sweeps through North America.
The United States serve as a co-host for the soccer extravaganza alongside neighbors Canada and Mexico, marking the first time since 1994 that the beautiful game has arrived on America’s shores.
The US Men’s National Team kickstarted their campaign in style against Paraguay on Friday, sweeping to a captivating 4-1 win in Los Angeles.
But according to the Daily Mail’s Power List of the most influential people in US soccer, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are not the only ones pulling the strings.
As thousands of international fans descend on the US to witness their sporting heroes in action, they are about to discover who the real boss is.
Here, the Daily Mail unveils its Power List of the nation’s most powerful figures in soccer. So who really is the Greatest of All Time and who is being shown a red card?
The Daily Mail unveils its Power List of the nation’s most powerful figures in soccer
Despite the World Cup being co-hosted by three nations, only one of their global leaders has cracked the power list. And naturally, he has topped it.
With the 2026 World Cup touted as one of the most politically charged in history, it is unsurprising to find President Donald Trump front and center.
He made himself the main attraction at the World Cup Draw, he initiated FIFA President Gianni Infantino into his global MAGA orbit and he bizarrely celebrated like the winning goalscorer when he presented Chelsea with the Club World Cup trophy last summer.
Long before all the teams had booked their place at the tournament, Trump had already taken center stage, becoming the inaugural recipient of FIFA’s Peace Prize – an award created by the organization after the president missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize despite vocally advocating for the accolade.
At last December’s draw, he beamed as he draped his own medal around his neck and gripped a trophy larger than the one that 48 nations will compete for this summer.
See the full Power List US Soccer rankings in our interactive tool.
A gleaming replica of that trophy has graced the Oval Office for the past year.
The proud displays were gifts left behind from one of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s many ingratiating visits to the White House – just the latest symbols of Trump’s deep-rooted hold on this tournament.
In recent weeks, however, the President’s influence over the World Cup has been far from peaceful. He and his administration have flexed their power over the tournament on issues ranging from Iran’s participation and visa permissions to the refusal of entry to Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan.
Given their near inseparability over the course of the past year, it is no surprise to find Infantino in a close second to the President on the Power List.
As President of FIFA, Infantino naturally wields a lot of power over the global state of the beautiful game – to the disgruntlement of many fans.
Yet, amid his friendship with Trump – and some would argue, self-debasement – Infantino appears untouchable, even with the spiraling chaos threatening to ruin his tournament.
He has made more public appearances in Trump’s Oval Office during Trump’s second term than any world political leader. He found himself invited to Trump’s pre-inauguration rally and countless trips to March-a-Lago. He opened a FIFA office in Trump Tower in Manhattan. He sported a MAGA-style hat at Trump’s Board of Peace meeting.
His brazen alliance with the Trump administration has sparked complaints regarding FIFA’s core rules of political neutrality. Yet with the President onside, Infantino heads into the World Cup seemingly unstoppable.
On the flip side, however, America’s soccer analysts don’t fare as well. The ever-outspoken Alexi Lalas, a United States Men’s National Team legend turned Fox analyst, trailed all the way down in 24th. Never one to shy away from controversial takes, the former defender has been known to ruffle some feathers among soccer fans online.
Meanwhile, his fellow broadcaster Rebecca Lowe secured a higher ranking than Lalas – albeit not by much.
The presenter has become the face of the Premier League in the US, serving as the host of NBC’s coverage since 2013 following stints with ESPN and the BBC. However, despite bringing soccer to US households week in, week out, Lowe only ranked 22nd out of 25 on our power list.
Another of Trump’s lackeys joined the fray, with Andrew Giuliani cracking the top five at No. 4.
President Donald Trump was presented with FIFA’s first ever Peace Prize in December
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) visited Trump in the Oval Office on multiple occasions
Giuliani, the son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, was appointed the Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the World Cup in May 2025, heading up Trump’s soccer cabinet.
The 40-year-old heads a coalition of cabinet secretaries, federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies such as the FBI, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security tasked with the high-stakes mission of ensuring the USA’s success as hosts.
Despite his real lack of law enforcement experience, Giuliani, thanks to his close connection to Trump – whom he has known for most of his life through his father – was granted the job after a handful of interviews in the West Wing.
Now, he finds himself at the helm of one of the most critical operations in the nation – and its success could make or break the tournament.
Meanwhile, back on the field, one actual player did manage to fend off the bureaucrats to seal his spot in the top three.
Despite being one of the greatest players the game has ever witnessed, Argentina and Inter Miami star Messi only just snuck into third.
Soccer analysts Alexi Lalas and Rebecca Lowe did not secure high rankings on our list
Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi surprisingly only finished third
The undisputed leader of the reigning champions, the forward is essentially the second coming of the Messiah back in his native Argentina.
He has won everything there is to win with the 39-year-old amassing a World Cup, two Copa Americas, four Champions League and eight Ballon d’Or titles among his many achievements.
During his time at Barcelona, it was even suggested that he boasted more influence than his coaches, dictating the style of play at the Nou Camp.
Meanwhile, his blockbuster arrival stateside in 2023 put Inter Miami and Major League Soccer (MLS) on the global map. National media descended on Fort Lauderdale throughout his first season, the likes of LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian showed up to his games.
And it’s his staggering US presence that has perhaps given him the edge over his greatest rival.
Messi’s longtime adversary Ronaldo left for Saudi Arabia following his contentious exit from Old Trafford rather than following the route to MLS.
Messi’s biggest rival Cristiano Ronaldo only mustered a seventh-place finish in the rankings
The Argentine put Inter Miami and MLS on the global map when he joined in 2023
The Portuguese superstar’s skill set, accolades and wealth are more than a match to rival Messi’s, with the world of soccer having pitted the pair one against the other since the beginning of their glittering careers.
But Messi’s impact on American soccer and MLS – along with a World Cup title, something that is missing from Ronaldo’s trophy cabinet – has left the former Real Madrid icon languishing in seventh when it comes to the USA’s power figures.
To compound the embarrassment, Ronaldo was even bested by iShowSpeed, a YouTuber.
A controversial entry considering his lack of playing experience, but the content creator managed to clinch a sixth-place finish thanks to his high-energy soccer fandom and content.
He has established significant influence within the soccer community, amassing over 54.8 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and even appearing in celebrity-led soccer exhibition matches.
Meanwhile, the soccer powers that be round out the top 5 with longstanding MLS commissioner Don Garber coming in at fifth thanks to his transformation of the sport in the US.
YouTuber and soccer content creator iShowSpeed managed a higher finish than Ronaldo
Yet his National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) counterpart Jessica Berman, who has led the league to skyrocketing success and one of the largest-ever media rights deals for a women’s sports league since becoming commissioner in 2022, is 10 places behind in 15th.
Since taking the helm in 1999, Garber has managed to nurture the league from a startup with just 10 teams into a 30-club expansion.
He successfully spearheaded a movement to build soccer-specific stadiums across the nation, establish passionate fanbases and orchestrate the recruitment of some of the biggest international stars the game has seen, including David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and, of course, Messi.
Speaking of Beckham, the England legend featured at No. 12. His skills and achievements on the field throughout his career were indisputable and his global fame undeniable. Yet Beckham’s impact on the United States came long after his Manchester United and Real Madrid glory days.
In a similar vein to Messi, Beckham profoundly transformed MLS, revolutionizing its business model and paving the way for future stars.
Not only did his arrival at LA Galaxy in 2007 help the league to gain global recognition, but its impact even created a new rule. The Designated Player Rule – now dubbed the Beckham Rule – allowed the tight-budgeted league’s clubs to sign players outside the salary cap, including international stars such as Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Soccer icon David Beckham has helped to transform MLS as both a player and an owner
Now, Beckham continues to influence soccer in the United States as a co-owner of Inter Miami. Under Beckham’s ownership, the team lured Messi as well as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez stateside, going on to win its first ever MLS Cup Championship last year.
However, Beckham’s co-owner Jorge Mas is apparently not held in the same regard. Despite also being part of the Inter Miami ownership that brought Messi to MLS, Mas finished dead last out of the 25 candidates on the power list.
A smattering of other club owners also occupy spots throughout the list, including Todd Boehly, who ranked one spot behind Beckham in 13th.
As well as being a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers and Sparks, Boehly also has stakes in Chelsea and Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
Meanwhile, Arsenal owner and sports team magnate Stan Kroenke finished 17th, Michele Kang, a major campaigner for women’s soccer and owner of Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes and London City, was 19th. And Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank, who also owns the National Football League (NFL)’s Falcons, was 20th.
Former president of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and former senior advisor to the FIFA President, Carlos Cordeiro, was eighth while his successor Cindy Parlow Cone was close behind in ninth.
Todd Boehly, who has stakes in Chelsea and Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, came in at 13th
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is pictured right with the Premier League trophy last month
Cordeiro resigned from his position with the USSF in 2020, following criticism following his administration’s stance over the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT)’s legal battle for equal pay. He is now serving as a senior advisor to Trump’s World Cup Task Force.
Meanwhile, Parlow Cone, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and 1999 Women’s World Cup champion with the USA, has been at the helm of the USSF since 2020.
She previously led the Portland Thorns FC to the inaugural NWSL championship title as a head coach in 2013, as well as boasting a wealth of experience on US Soccer’s Referee Committee, Medical Advisory Committee, Appeals Committee, the Athletes’ Council and Youth Task Force.
The USSF’s respective head coaches – the USMNT’s Mauricio Pochettino and USWNT’s Emma Hayes – were tenth and 11th respectively.
Pochettino is taking charge of the USMNT at a major global tournament for the first time at the World Cup this summer after taking the job in 2024 following the departure of Gregg Berhalter.
Under his tenure, the USA has managed just a second-place finish at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and fourth in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League, with a record of 15 wins, 10 losses and one tie.
Mauricio Pochettino is set to coach the USMNT at the World Cup after taking the job in 2024
However, spearheading the USA’s ‘Golden Generation’ during a historic home World Cup bears great responsibility and, with it, power.
Hayes, meanwhile, has had a transformative impact on the USWNT, winning the 2024 Paris Olympics in just her 10th match in charge.
The two managers’ current greatest stars, Trinity Rodman and Christian Pulisic, rank 16th and 18th respectively.
Pulisic has become a figurehead of the USA’s ‘Golden Generation,’ earning himself the moniker of ‘Captain America’ and becoming one of the most notable American players to play throughout Europe’s top leagues, including the Premier League.
Rodman, the daughter of National Basketball Association legend Dennis Rodman, made history earlier this year when she signed a record three-year deal with the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, which will see her earn an average of over $1 million per year.
Surprisingly, one of the most recognizable faces in US women’s soccer has slumped down the list.
Christian Pulisic has become a figurehead of the USA’s ‘Golden Generation’
Trinity Rodman made history earlier this year when she signed a record deal with the Spirit
Megan Rapinoe, one of the most recognizable names in women’s soccer, has been polarizing
Love her or loathe her, Megan Rapinoe, often a controversial and divisive figure, had been a staple of the USWNT for years.
On the field, Rapinoe finished her career in 2023 with 203 international appearances and 63 goals for the US. She won back-to-back World Cups with the USA in 2015 and 2019, winning both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the latter.
She also boasts an Olympic gold medal from the 2012 London Games, as well as a bronze from Tokyo.
Beyond her athletic success, Rapinoe is perhaps more well-known for leveraging her platform for social causes. She was an instrumental member of the women’s team that won its legal battle with the USSF for equal pay in 2019, as well as a campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice.
She became one of the first prominent athletes to back Colin Kaepernick, taking the knee during the national anthem to support the NFL quarterback.
However, often her off-field actions proved polarizing to America, contributing to her tumble down the power rankings.
Rapinoe finished 23rd on the Daily Mail’s list, two places behind current NWSL star Temwa Chawinga. Despite not boasting the same international success as Rapinoe or even being American, Chawinga managed to best the retired star.
The Malawian player, who plays as a forward for the Kansas City Current, won back-to-back NWSL MVPs and the Golden Boot. She also became the fastest player to score 25 and 30 regular-season goals in league history, helping to inspire the next generation of female players back home in her native Malawi.
