New documentary 'Can We Kick It?' examines Black history and barriers in US soccer

According to The Guardian, Akbar Majeed's new documentary "Can We Kick It?" offers a timely look at US soccer through a Black lens, telling the story of the sport while asking hard questions about the barriers that still stand in the way of its breakthrough.

Majeed, reflecting on the legacy of the 2026 World Cup, points to the US men's team's last-16 exit against Belgium as a moment that still weighs on the game's progress. "Unfortunately, that performance in the last game did not help at all," he says.

The film explores the history of Black players and the structural obstacles they face, including the pay-to-play system that can exclude young players from opportunity. It argues those problems matter as the country prepares to host the World Cup.

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