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Seattle may not brand itself the "soccer capital of North America" the way Atlanta and Kansas City often do. Nevertheless, the city runs deep with soccer tradition and boasts some of the most devoted supporters in the country.
The beloved Seattle Sounders, whose history stretches back to the North American Soccer League (NASL) era, are two-time MLS Cup champions, with their most recent title coming in 2019. Despite losing an NBA team when the SuperSonics departed, the Emerald City's sporting credentials have shone brightly in the 21st century.
The Seahawks secured a second Super Bowl title in February, and the excitement from their commanding victory over the New England Patriots continues to resonate across the city as World Cup excitement begins to build.
Lumen Field will stage five matches at this summer's tournament, including a round of 32 fixture. Seattle was left out in 1994, and the soccer-mad city is eager to make its mark. Here are five World Cup stars set to shine in the Emerald City.
1. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Matches in Seattle: Belgium vs. Egypt, June 15.
Belgium enters the tournament with tempered expectations. Traces of the golden generation remain, but Rudi Garcia also has promising young talent at his disposal this summer.
Kevin De Bruyne is appearing at his fourth World Cup, having made his debut in Brazil 12 years ago. Belgium was on the rise back then. The team peaked in 2018 with a third-place finish, before stumbling badly in Qatar last time around.
De Bruyne is no longer the dominant force he once was, and a hamstring problem hampered his debut season at Napoli after he chose to walk away from a remarkable Manchester City career in 2025.
Even so, the 34-year-old remains the irresistible creative engine of the Red Devils. In what could be his final chapter with the national side, De Bruyne has every reason to go out on a high.
2. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Matches in Seattle: Belgium vs. Egypt, June 15. Egypt vs. Iran, June 26.
Seattle will get two opportunities to witness Mohamed Salah at his devastating best. Lumen Field hosts Egypt's opening fixture against Belgium, as well as its Matchday 3 meeting with Iran.
Salah remains MENA's greatest soccer icon, but the former Liverpool legend arrives at the tournament following a deeply frustrating campaign. Salah didn't just fall short of his extraordinary 2024–25 output; he frequently appeared a step behind throughout.
Egypt, so dominant on the African continent, has remarkably never won a World Cup match. They are winless in seven, with only Honduras — nine games — having played more at the tournament without a victory.
That dismal streak could finally end when Egypt faces New Zealand in Group G, but Seattle may witness further World Cup heartbreak for Salah's Pharaohs.
3. Christian Pulisic (USMNT)
Matches in Seattle: United States vs. Australia, June 19.
The USMNT delivered one of the tournament's most eye-catching performances so far, dismantling Paraguay in a manner somewhat reminiscent of Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur during their finest days.
Paraguay had been expected to be defensively stubborn and difficult to break down. They were anything but.
The USMNT's upcoming clash with Australia — 2–0 winners against Türkiye in their opener — should prove a far sterner test. Tony Popovic has unlocked a winning formula for the Socceroos, and Pochettino will need Captain America fit and firing to unlock them.
Christian Pulisic was electrifying in the opening 45 minutes against Paraguay without getting on the scoresheet, but was withdrawn at half-time due to muscle tightness.
Pulisic is expected to be fit for the USMNT's visit to the Pacific Northwest, and Lumen Field is sure to generate one of the tournament's most electric atmospheres.
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4. Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Matches in Seattle: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar, June 24.
Bosnia & Herzegovina were ultimately held by co-hosts Canada in Toronto in their opening match, having reached North America by eliminating Wales and Italy on penalties back in March.
Veteran striker Edin Džeko is the most recognizable name on Bosnia's squad sheet, given his long-standing impact in European soccer over the past 15 years, but the player generating the most buzz in Sarajevo and beyond is teenage sensation Kerim Alajbegović.
The 18-year-old registered four assists during qualifying and had been touted as one of the tournament's potential breakout stars before Shakira and Burna Boy kicked things off in Mexico City.
A wide attacker with mesmerizing footwork, Alajbegović is expected to play a bigger role for Bosnia in their remaining two group games after coming off the bench in the 1–1 draw with Canada.
Premier League clubs have already begun circling the RB Salzburg prodigy.
5. Jérémy Doku (Belgium)
Matches in Seattle: Belgium vs. Egypt, June 15.
De Bruyne may be Belgium's creative nucleus, but their dynamic new attacking force will operate down the left wing.
Jérémy Doku experienced the finest club season of his career at Manchester City most recently, and is primed to thrill crowds along the West Coast this summer.
Once inconsistent in front of goal, Doku discovered a clinical edge during Pep Guardiola's final campaign in charge. His breathtaking ability in one-on-one duels is now matched by a sharp finishing instinct, making Doku one of the most threatening wide players on the planet.
Belgium's ambitions of bouncing back from their dismal Qatar campaign don't fall entirely on the 24-year-old's shoulders, but he is undoubtedly the standard-bearer of the Red Devils' new era.