Sunil Gulati: The Indian American Architect Behind Soccer’s Rise in the United States

Sunil Gulati, an Indian American, has been instrumental in the rise of soccer in the United States. He served as president of the U.S. Soccer Federation from 2006 to 2018, overseeing a period of significant growth for the sport.

Under Gulati's leadership, the U.S. men's and women's national teams achieved notable successes. The women's team won World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, while the men's team qualified for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Gulati also played a key role in bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams and will be hosted across 16 cities in North America.

Beyond his work with the federation, Gulati has been involved in soccer at the collegiate and professional levels. He taught economics at Columbia University and served on the board of Major League Soccer.

Gulati's contributions have helped elevate soccer's profile in the United States, making it a more prominent sport alongside traditional favorites like football, basketball, and baseball.