Carmen Vitari
NFL Reporter
The discussion about athletes transitioning between different sports has been ongoing for quite some time. Have we seen LeBron James potentially excel as an NFL tight end? Has Patrick Mahomes pursued a career in Major League Baseball like his father? And could other players excel in hockey?
While American football reigns as the most popular sport in the U.S., soccer has a considerable global following. Research over the years indicates that hundreds of millions engage regularly in soccer, with billions consuming the sport in various forms.
With the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, how advantageous would it be to leverage athletes from America’s leading sports? Will this team be able to contend for a FIFA World Cup position?
While I won’t delve into that second question, there are players in the NFL whose skills could potentially translate to the soccer field.
Here’s my lineup of football players imagined as soccer athletes:
Forwards (2):
Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson
Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua
Both of these players are impactful and bring necessary traits to the field. Jefferson and Nacua, two of the top receivers in the NFL, possess speed and skill that would serve them well in soccer, complementing each other perfectly.
Midfielders (4):
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Midfielders require vision, speed, and endurance. Barkley and Gibbs are dynamic athletes with strong field awareness. Winfield Jr. brings intensity and skill, while Jackson stands out as the only quarterback, likely serving as a central player on the field.
Defenders (4):
Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle
Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton
Houston Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Defenders need to possess length and strength, qualities that can also be beneficial in American football. This lineup includes some formidable defensive backs capable of neutralizing opponents. Kittle adds versatility, blending physicality with an engaging personality that could energize a soccer defense.
Goalkeeper:
Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett
This thought excited me. Garrett is a highly athletic player with the agility to cover the entire goal. He embodies the mentality needed for a goalkeeper; can you imagine him guarding the goal? His presence alone would likely intimidate opposing players.
Carmen Vitari I’m an NFL reporter for Fox Sports. Carmen previously worked at the Draft Network and spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including the Super Bowl championship year in 2020. You can follow Carmen on Twitter @carmiev.
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The idea of blending talents from American football into soccer could spark new interest in both sports. For soccer fans, this could mean an exciting influx of athleticism and skill in the upcoming World Cup, potentially elevating the level of competition and expanding the game’s popularity in the U.S.
