Cristian Roldan’s World Cup story started long before the U.S. opened its home tournament in Southern California.
For the Seattle Sounders midfielder, it began in the backyard of his family’s Pico Rivera, California, home, where he played rough, emotional soccer games with his brothers Cesar Jr. and Alex.
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People reported that Roldan remembered those childhood matches as full of arguments, fouls, yelling and crying. He also said they helped make the brothers stronger, more focused and more competitive.
Now Roldan is playing the 2026 World Cup in the country he chose to represent, with some of the tournament happening only miles from where he grew up.
Roldan Grew Up in a Soccer Family
Roldan, 30, said his love for soccer was shaped by his older brother and his Latino background. His parents, César and Ana, grew up with the sport in Guatemala and El Salvador before moving to California.
“Soccer’s in their blood,” Roldan told People.
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NBC Los Angeles reported that Roldan was eligible to represent Guatemala through his father and El Salvador through his mother, but he chose the United States.
“It was a very hard decision, knowing you could represent El Salvador and Guatemala,” Roldan told NBC Los Angeles. “But I wanted to give back to the United States for everything they gave our family.”
The World Cup Is Happening Close to Home
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being played across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with 48 teams and 104 matches. People reported that the tournament opened June 11 and will end with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
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People reported that the U.S. opened with a 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 13, about 11 miles from where Roldan grew up in Pico Rivera.
Roldan said playing World Cup games in the United States brings nerves, excitement and anxiety.
“As a kid, you grow up wanting to be in the biggest stage possible, and that’s the World Cup,” he told People. “And then to be able to have the games here in the United States? I mean, what a dream.”
His Brothers Are Part of the Story
Roldan is not the only soccer figure in his family. U.S. Soccer notes that his older brother Cesar has worked as a trainer with the L.A. Galaxy, while his younger brother Alex is his Seattle Sounders teammate and plays internationally for El Salvador.
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That made the family’s soccer journey unusually layered. NBC Los Angeles reported that Cristian and Alex have faced each other internationally, with Cristian representing the United States and Alex representing El Salvador.
Seattle Sounders FC reported that Alex called Cristian’s 2026 World Cup selection deserved and said his brother has been a role model for him.
Roldan Wants the Moment to Matter Beyond One Family
Roldan made his USMNT debut in 2017 and was part of the 2022 World Cup roster. Seattle Sounders FC reported that his 2026 call-up made this his second consecutive World Cup roster.
With the tournament back in North America, Roldan told People the team wants to inspire younger players watching from home or in the stands.
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“We want to create those big moments so the next generation — the younger kids watching us on TV or in the stands — are able to build off those memories,” Roldan said.
He also framed the tournament as a chance to leave American soccer in a stronger place. “We’re going to be a bigger soccer country because the World Cup was here,” he told People.
