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Soccer offers your child great benefits—and a few risks

A man holds two laughing boys in front of a soccer goal, squeezing a soccer ball between them.

July 9, 2026—If your kids thrilled at watching the World Cup, they may be thinking about learning how to play soccer themselves. That could be the best idea they have all summer.

Soccer offers several health benefits—including some brain-health boosts. But it also poses risks.

A brainy sport

Children and teens should get at least 1 hour each day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, says the American Heart Association (AHA). That may sound like a lot, but the benefits are huge for their growing bodies and minds. And soccer is an ideal way to reach that goal.

Soccer helps to:

Build strong bones and muscles.
Improve endurance.
Manage body weight.
Maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

But the perks don't stop there. Soccer's brain-specific benefits include:

Better academic performance.
Sharper attention span and memory.
Reduced risk of depression and anxiety.
Opportunities for healthy social interaction.
Improved executive function (the brain's ability to focus, process information, and make plans and decisions).

Risk for brain injury

Like any sport, soccer presents certain risks too—particularly for brain health. Heading, a popular soccer move in which players hit the ball with their heads, can damage the brain when done repeatedly. According to the Radiological Society of North America, repeated heading is linked to lower verbal learning ability and other adverse brain effects, even when the practice doesn't result in serious injury.

Concussions—which, in soccer, happen most often when heading the ball—are a major risk for kids. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention comparing concussion rates in youth sports show that girls' soccer ranks No. 2, while boys' soccer ranks No. 9.

Safety for young athletes

If your child or teen plays soccer, you may be relieved to know that the U.S. Soccer Federation has banned heading for players ages 10 and under and has limited its use for children between ages 11 and 13.

You can also protect your child and their teammates by:

Ensuring that training and practice are appropriate for their age and physical condition.
Managing the level of athletic competition so they don't get burned out or become more injury-prone.
Having them warm up thoroughly before playing.
Knowing how to administer CPR.

Find out if your child is ready to tackle team sports.

Sources

American Heart Association. "As Hearts Race Over the World Cup, Playing Soccer Has Its Benefits From Head to Toe." https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/11/18/as-hearts-race-over-the-world-cup-playing-soccer-has-its-benefits-from-head-to-toe.
American Heart Association. "As World Cup Buzz Builds, Here's How to Keep Soccer Healthy and Safe for Kids and Teens." http://heart.org/en/news/2026/05/18/as-world-cup-buzz-builds-here-is-how-to-keep-soccer-healthy-and-safe-for-kids-and-teens.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Data on Sports and Recreation Activities." https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/data.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children." https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/health-benefits/children.html.
JAMA. "Playing a Team Sport May Benefit Your Child's Developing Brain." https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2828121.
Radiological Society of North America. "Soccer Heading Damages Brain Regions Affected in CTE." https://www.rsna.org/media/press/i/2545.