The World Cup has come to an end, and hosting it on our own turf has shone a brighter spotlight on the sport, inspiring millions of kids across the U.S. to step onto a field for the first time or to keep playing and chasing their dreams. But inspiration doesn’t guarantee participation. About 20 million Americans of all ages play soccer in a typical year, and kids make up a huge share of that, with U.S. Soccer projecting the number could climb toward 29 million by the end of 2026. The real question is not how many kids this summer inspires, but how many actually get into the game and stay here.

Youth sports were once framed as an extracurricular activity that families took advantage of to keep their kids busy and make new friends. However, they’re increasingly being recognized as a public health solution. Regular activity helps children maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints and a healthy weight and prevent the development of high blood pressure. Beyond the physical health benefits, youth sports and exercise are positively correlated to mental health, decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Organized sports are also an outlet for kids to learn teamwork, strengthen resilience and nurture a sense of belonging. However, despite these benefits, access to youth sports isn’t always guaranteed.

The most recent Aspen Institute State of Play report shows that just 55% of children are currently playing organized sports, below the federal government’s public health goal of 63% by 2030. But this year, we have........

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