Vox Creative, Verizon, and Roku to Premiere Soccer Meets America Ahead of World Cup

LOS ANGELES, CA - Today, Vox Creative, Vox Media’s award-winning brand creative studio, in association with Verizon, the Official Telecommunications Services Sponsor of FIFA World Cup 2026™, and Roku, the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico ^* , announced Soccer Meets America, a three-part documentary series that will premiere on The Roku Channel in May. From the implosion of pro leagues in the 1980s to the 2026 World Cup, “Soccer Meets America” chronicles the unexpected path of professional soccer in the United States.

The series looks at soccer history through the lens of exclusive interviews with players from the United States Men’s National Team including Chris Henderson, John Harkes, and Mike Sorber, along with Alan Rothenberg, former President of the U.S. Soccer Federation and Bruce Arena, head coach and sporting director of the San Jose Earthquakes. Soccer Meets America celebrates the community and players who have kept soccer alive in America as it moved from small communities to mainstream with the help of technology, pop culture, and dedicated fans.

“As soccer fans unite for the highly anticipated World Cup, we are thrilled to collaborate with partners and athletes that bring a unique perspective to the sport. Together with Verizon, Roku, and some of soccer's biggest names, this series shares powerful and untold stories that will be enjoyed by the biggest soccer fans and newcomers alike,”said Yosef Johnson, senior vice president of Vox Creative.

“As a long-term partner and champion of soccer in the U.S., Verizon is focused on providing fans with unparalleled access to the sport they love,” said Haley Paas, SVP of Media, Marketing Effectiveness & Agency Management at Verizon. “By partnering with Vox Creative and Roku on 'Soccer Meets America,' we’re not just looking back at the history of the sport, but also celebrating the innovation and infrastructure that’s powering the largest World Cup ever.”

“With the World Cup capturing global attention, this documentary series allows us to tap into that passion by bringing fans closer to the sport through the compelling story of the historic 1994 World Cup, while creating premium opportunities for us and our partners to show up around culturally significant moments,” said Brian Toombs, Head of Roku Brand Studio.

As part of South by Southwest’s official programming, the team behind Soccer Meets America will share a sneak peek and participate in a panel discussion about the partnership and series. Moderated by Vulture’s Editor-in-Chief, Neil Janowitz, panelists include “Soccer Meets America” director Phil Wall, Chris Henderson, the former player for the United States Men’s National League and current sporting director for Atlanta United FC, and Haley Paas, Verizon’s Senior Vice President Of Media, Marketing, and Agency Effectiveness. RSVP here.

Soccer Meets America is produced by Vox Creative, in association with Verizon. The series is created by Phil Wall, and executive produced by Phil Wall, Yosef Johnson, and Sylvie Krekow. Sarah Sparkman serves as producer for Vox Creative. Sean Boyle oversees the project on behalf of Roku.

Check out the tech behind the 2026 tournament and be sure to watch Soccer Meets America this May on The Roku Channel.