American Outlaws: World Cup Ready
Lincoln-Founded American Outlaws, Now Nationwide, Gears Up for the World Cup with Nebraska Plans
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The biggest soccer fan group in the United States didn't start in New York or Los Angeles. It started in Lincoln, Nebraska — nearly 20 years ago — in a bar. Journal Star reports that the American Outlaws now has more than 200 chapters and 30,000 dues-paying members nationwide, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup arriving on American soil, the group is ready for its biggest moment yet.
Founded in 2007 by three friends who just wanted to watch the U.S. men's national team together, the American Outlaws grew from a small Lincoln gathering into a national movement. Now, Chapter #1 — still based in Lincoln — is preparing watch parties, events, and a homecoming celebration for a tournament that could define American soccer forever.
Three Friends in a Lincoln Bar Started It All
In 2007, Korey Donahoo, Justin Brunken, and Ben Cohoon founded the American Outlaws in Lincoln, Nebraska. The name was a joke — they were "outlaws" in a state obsessed with college football and the College World Series. The group made its first official appearance on September 9, 2007, at a U.S.-Brazil friendly in Chicago, according to Star Herald.
The founders used a simple model to grow. Each local chapter gets $5 from every $30 annual membership fee to fund its own watch parties and events. A $30 membership also includes a kit and access to the American Outlaws supporter section at games. By 2013, the group celebrated its 100th chapter. By 2014, it opened its first international branch — in London, England. Today, 209 active chapters exist across the country, according to Kearney Hub.
World Cup Ticketing Battle Frustrates Loyal Fans
The 2026 World Cup has brought excitement — and frustration. American Outlaws president Brian Hexsel called the group's seat allocations "the worst tickets I've ever seen" in terms of positioning. Co-founder Korey Donahoo echoed that, publicly criticizing the "nosebleed" seats assigned to long-time members through FIFA and U.S. Soccer's Supporters Group Draw, according to Columbus Telegram.
The issue cuts deep for a group built on atmosphere. American Outlaws leaders argue that placing die-hard fans far from the pitch weakens the home-field advantage the U.S. team needs. The fight over seating may change how U.S. Soccer works with fan groups long after the tournament ends, according to Beatrice Daily Sun.
Lincoln Prepares for a Soccer Homecoming
Nebraska has no World Cup host city. But Lincoln is still gearing up. Trevin Wurm, the leader of Chapter #1, is coordinating watch parties at The Railyard and Captain Jack's — the same bar where the group got its start. The U.S. team faces Paraguay on June 12, Australia on June 19, and Türkiye on June 25, according to NP Telegraph.
Local bars and venues expect record business during those matches. For the American Outlaws, it is more than a party — it is a proof of concept. The group was built on the idea that soccer passion could thrive anywhere in America. Lincoln, Nebraska, is where that idea was born, and the 2026 World Cup is its biggest test yet, according to Journal Star.
Beyond the Game: Building Fields and Leaving a Legacy
The American Outlaws aren't just planning parties. The group's charity arm, AO Impact, is running a project called "26x26" — a goal to build 26 soccer fields and community projects in 26 cities by the end of the 2026 tournament, in partnership with the charity Lionsraw. It is the group's most ambitious off-field effort ever, according to Kearney Hub.
The American Outlaws have spent nearly two decades proving that American soccer fans are real, loud, and organized. The 2026 World Cup — on home soil, with the whole world watching — is the moment they have been building toward since three friends picked a funny name in a Nebraska bar almost 20 years ago, according to Star Herald.
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