World Cup frenzy shows why NFL is globalizing -- and how much more work needs to be done

The World Cup frenzy shows why the NFL is globalizing — and how much more work needs to be done argues that the current wave of World Cup attention in the United States highlights both progress and gaps in the NFL’s international push. The article points to the World Cup’s scale: tens of thousands of overseas fans traveling to the host nation, a 104-match schedule extending for more than a month, and hundreds of millions watching worldwide on television. Those numbers illustrate what a truly global version of American football could look like, while also underscoring how far away the sport remains from soccer’s global reach. The NFL, the piece says, continues investing in international exposure after starting regular-season games in London nearly two decades ago. It also frames flag football as a potential stepping stone because it is easier to export than tackle football, potentially accelerating global interest over time.