The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee will host a series of meet-and-greet sessions with U.S. soccer legends at the FIFA Fan Festival Houston, giving fans opportunities to connect with former national team stars such as Clint Dempsey, Cobi Jones, and others. These appearances, scheduled throughout the tournament, highlight the achievements and contributions of players who helped shape American soccer. The festival, held in East Downtown Houston, will also feature live match broadcasts, entertainment, and local food and drink offerings as part of the World Cup festivities.

Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley have been elected to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame and will be inducted May 6 along with Lauren Cheney Holiday.

Jones, one of the league's original players who spent his entire 11-year career with the Galaxy, was named one of the MLS 25 Greatest on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. When MLS contracted by two teams in 2002, Jones and his fellow players wondered if the fledgling domestic league was in trouble. MLS is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, commemorating it Wednesday with the release of the MLS 25 Greatest. “In the early days, (teams had) like 11 quality players and then all of a sudden there was a significant drop off. I think now you see that there’s 11 quality players and then you go beyond and there’s other quality players as well," he said.