According to attendance numbers in late June 2026 there have been over 4.6 million people to attend and 30-45 million United States viewers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Among one of the most avid fans following in the United States is Assistant Athletic Director for High Point University Intercollegiate Sports—Harry Sherwood. However, in the case of Sherwood, his interest has been heightened in the event as his native England remains alive for the gold in a potential clash with Spain in the final. 

Sherwood discovered his love for soccer early on in life. "I remember being a mascot for the day with my dad," said Sherwood. "He played and was the captain, and I got to wear the same kit as the players did, walk out with the teams, warm up with the players and hear the fans singing as the atmosphere was building before kickoff. It was absolutely amazing. A core memory I will never forget!

"I also remember attending a birthday party when I was five or six years old, my friend rented a football pitch and we played football," continued Sherwood. "Imagine 10 or 15 little kids running around on a football pitch for one of the first times of their lives …  it was like Disneyland! The thrill of scoring goals over-and-over-and-over again was something that stuck with me from a very young age."

Sherwood, who came to the United States to pursue his degree in exercise and health science from Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., brought the love of futbol in his heart all the way from Bristol, England.  

Sherwood made an impact on the pitch himself, earning NAIA All-American and Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year honors as a junior. That season he played a key role in helping Bryan to the fourth-best defense in the nation as it reached the Sweet 16 of the NAIA National Tournament. Sherwood was also an offensive threat with 10 goals through his first two seasons of collegiate play, delivering five goals and five assists as a junior. 

In his final season of collegiate soccer, Sherwood led the Lions to the AAC Championship game, but Bryan fell short in a shootout to rival Montreat College. 

Sherwood is looking to avoid that same anguish with the England squad that will face Argentina on Wednesday, July 15th in the World Cup semi-final. 

He will most certainly be glued to the "tele" for the match between the two nations, but just in case he is having to wait to see it live his stern warnings will be issued. This was clear during a midday match against Congo DR, where he told everyone in a room prior to a meeting with strong passion, 'if you are watching the scores, please don't tell me about any updates on the England match because I will be watching it on replay."

While Sherwood may have missed the opportunity to see a World Cup game in person this year, he does have a dream of sharing this with his son. "I have never attended a World Cup match," he said. "My hopes and dreams of attending one, while living in the country that is hosting the tournament have been dashed this year, with the circus of ticket prices, which is a bummer.

"However, it is definitely a bucket list item, but almost one that I have been too afraid to put on the list," Sherwood added. "I have a young son now, maybe my updated bucket list would be going to a game with him one day."

Sherwood shares the same experience that many in collegiate athletics have because of sports and the opportunities they provide—the chance to travel, see the world and experience things never thought possible. He says of his experience, "football has taken me all over the world, I have met so many amazing people and shared experiences otherwise not possible. I met my wife playing football, and now we have a son together who watches and shares the same thrill of kicking a ball in the living room!"

He continued by adding, "To quote a good friend, 'I have truly loved the way the World Cup has brought us into so many friend's living rooms and gathered us around so many tables, the games have been fun of course, but even better than that is the reminder of how good it is to be together - to cheer, to laugh, to stay a little longer than planned, and keep showing up in each other's homes. Sometimes the best part of an event is the way it gives us a reason to get together.' I will be sad when another World Cup summer has come and gone but am glad for the journey."