NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the United States will earn a place in lunar history if it wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The United States men’s national team has received one of the most unusual incentives imaginable ahead of the FIFA World Cup knockout stages.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has pledged to send a football to the Moon if the United States wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup, challenging Mauricio Pochettino’s side to make history both on Earth and beyond.

Speaking during a NASA event outlining the agency’s long-term plans for a permanent lunar base, Isaacman threw down the challenge to the USMNT.

“That’s the challenge, okay, so Team USA, get the job done,” Isaacman said.

NASA wants to ‘one-up’ Alan Shepard

The promise builds on one of the Moon’s most famous sporting moments.

During the Apollo 14 mission in 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard famously smuggled a makeshift golf club aboard and hit two golf balls on the lunar surface.

Isaacman said NASA now wants football to become the next sport represented on the Moon.

“We’re going to one-up Alan Shepard,” he said.

“We’re going to get the soccer ball there.”

NASA has already embraced the World Cup by sending an official FIFA football to the International Space Station as the United States co-hosts the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada.

Ball could travel aboard future Moon mission

Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA’s programme manager for its planned lunar base, confirmed the idea is technically feasible.

“If the United States wins the World Cup, we will absolutely find space,” Garcia-Galan said.

While joking that the biggest obstacle is the United States actually winning the tournament, he added that a football is light enough to be included alongside scientific equipment on a future lunar mission.

“It’s all on the US men’s national team, so good luck.”

USMNT chasing historic first men’s World Cup

The challenge comes as the United States prepares for the knockout rounds after topping Group D.

The Americans will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 as they continue their bid for what would be their first-ever FIFA men’s World Cup title.

Despite being one of the co-host nations, the United States has never won the men’s tournament, with its best finish remaining a third-place result in the inaugural 1930 World Cup.

The women’s national team, however, is the most successful in FIFA Women’s World Cup history with four titles.

Should the USMNT complete a fairytale run to the trophy, the reward would extend far beyond silverware, with a football destined to become one of the most extraordinary sporting objects ever sent into space.