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The World Cup is over. Judging from the TV ratings, there's a good chance you tuned in.
What now?
There is plenty more soccer out there to enjoy, but it spreads out in front of you like a buffet. You can have a little of this and a little of that or fill up your plate and go back for more as often as you like.
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That is the blessing of soccer, although it can also be its curse. You start out liking an Erling Haaland post. You end up getting up at 5:30 a.m. to go to a pub that opens up to show European matches and end the night at your local stadium, realizing your whole Saturday is gone.
But that's not necessary. And while some soccer fans will try to convince you there's a right way to enjoy the sport, pay no mind to those who say you have to consume one thing or another. One of the beauties of soccer is that you can find what resonates with you and keep digging deeper and deeper - or just stay a casual and only tune in for certain matches.
That said, one of the best ways to get involved in soccer is to look around your own community:
Support your local team
Whether it be Major League Soccer, USL or college, there likely is a soccer team near you. Worldwide, supporting a local team is one of the most common reflections of soccer fandom. Those teams represent a neighborhood, a city or a region, ideally serving as something locals can identity with and feel represented by.
Fan groups often form up around those team, with seat neighbors turning into long-time friends.
Every MLS team has supporters' groups but also has less organized groups of friends and neighbors sharing the same game-day rituals and chatting about the team's performance on the field - plus what's going on in the front office and beyond.
There are communities of fans who get together to watch matches from all over the world as well, but nowhere can you have your voice heard like getting involved locally - or just going to matches when it fits with your schedule.
Get geared up for the next World Cup
The next senior World Cup will take place in less than a year, with the women's World Cup in Brazil taking the spotlight.
There are plenty of reasons to get excited for the tournament, we ran through five right here. Whether it's a stacked Spain trying to repeat, a U.S. team trying to bounce back from a worst-ever finish in Australia-New Zealand or the Brazilians trying to delight a soccer-obsessed host nation, there are many interesting narratives that will be worth tracking.
While many teams area already qualified, the U.S. (and their regional rivals Canada, Mexico and Jamaica among others) will look to earn its place in Brazil in November.
Before that, it meets reigning champion Spain in a pair of highly anticipated fall friendly matches.
Lock in to the international game
Maybe you realized you just want to follow the U.S. men's national team - or another preferred team that came onto your radar at the World Cup.
International matches are played during "international breaks" or "FIFA windows" - times in the calendar when all players are required to be given leave from their clubs to join up with their national teams.
Those teams will be back in action in September, with the U.S. taking part in a quartet of friendly matches before playing a Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal in the November window. Mexico is in the same situation.
European teams begin contesting the UEFA Nations League in September, with Spain manager Luis de la Fuente half-joking after winning the World Cup that his team already is getting ready for a big-ticket meeting with England. There also are rumors that the Finalissima, a match between the European and South American champions, may be rescheduled this fall after the war in Iran kept it from being played in Qatar in March 2026 as planned. That would mean a quick final rematch, just months after Sunday's showdown.
African teams jump into qualification for the African Cup of Nations, while Asian and South American nations will be tuning up in friendly matches.
Do you just love international tournaments in general? Next up in the men's game is the 2027 Asian Cup. That will see Qatar looking to defend its title after a dour showing at the World Cup, while Japan, Korea, Iran and Australia hope to win a continental crown
The two most prestigious continental tournaments, the Euros and Copa América, are scheduled for the summer of 2028.
Follow that player - or team - who captured your heart
While there is no international soccer at the moment, those guys you fell for are back to their clubs where they play the majority of their soccer.
Most European leagues are available to view on TV or streaming in the U.S. Teams generally play league matches on the weekends, with the elite squads meeting teams from other parts of Europe during the week in the UEFA Champions League, the world's premier club competition, or other, less prestigious tournament.
Erling Haaland is back with Manchester City, an English club that will play dozens and dozens of matches - all available on TV or streaming in the U.S.
Kylian Mbappe leads the line with Real Madrid, which will look to win La Liga after Lamine Yamal and Barcelona topped the league last campaign.
Harry Kane is based in the Bundesliga, playing for a Bayern Munich team that often dominates the German league but will face new challenges this season.
The reigning winner of the UEFA Champions League is Ligue 1 squad Paris Saint-Germain, which will try to continue its dominance behind much of the France and Portugal stars who were on display this summer.
And, of course, Lionel Messi suits up for Inter Miami in MLS, which is available worldwide on Apple TV.
There is no right or wrong way to be a soccer fan, but keep getting a clean plate and going back to the buffet and you may find yourself with a lifelong love that started thanks to the magic of the World Cup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fall in love with soccer this World Cup? Here's how to increase your fandom
