​Ashleigh Hallam, an English as a second language teacher based in Indiana, is unexpectedly learning Spanish thanks to the World Cup. For her and a growing number of Americans, the global soccer tournament has become a surprising linguistic and cultural bridge. Hallam belongs to a notable segment of English-speaking viewers across the United States who tune into World Cup matches broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo, often with little to no understanding of the announcers’ words. “I can’t really understand everything they’re saying on Telemundo because they’re speaking in Spanish,” Hallam said. “But you understand what’s going on.”
This trend stands out when considering demographics. While roughly 20 percent of the U.S. population is Hispanic, Nielsen ratings show that about half of all World Cup viewers in the country have watched at least some portion of matches in Spanish. Viewers have several options: every tournament game is available in English on Fox or FS1, in Spanish on Telemundo or Universo, and through various streaming platforms like Fox Now or Peacock.
Several reasons are frequently cited for the appeal of Spanish-language broadcasts. Many fans are drawn to the cadence and excitement of famed broadcaster Andrés Cantor’s iconic “¡goooool!” calls. Unlike Fox, Telemundo does not cut away for commercials during the hydration breaks, allowing uninterrupted viewing of critical moments on the field.
For some, the allure is purely entertainment, while others choose Telemundo for practical reasons, such as cost. Peacock, which includes Telemundo, is often a more affordable streaming option than Fox Now. The phenomenon highlights soccer’s power to transcend language barriers, underscoring the sport’s status as a truly global language.
Jackson Braunius, a Michigan native, watched a United States game from a Miami Lakes steakhouse and admitted he speaks almost no Spanish beyond “cerveza,” tapping his beer as he watched. Yet he said he had no trouble following the action on Telemundo. “I figured out the science here,” Braunius explained. “When they’re not talking too loud, nothing is happening. When they get loud, there’s a chance. When they get really loud, it’s probably a goal.”
Comedian Trevor Noah, who hosts World Cup watch parties on YouTube, also shifted to the Spanish-language feed, citing the absence of hydration-break advertisements as a major factor. “We’re seeing the players on the pitch discussing what’s happening. You see which coach is more stressed. Some players are tapping each other on the back. This is part of the game,” Noah said on one of his streams. “I feel like when you cut to ads, you lose this — you lose the stress, you lose the joy, the anticipation. So, shout out again, Telemundo: really, really amazing coverage.”
Telemundo’s approach, which eschews mid-break ads during hydration stoppages, resonates with fans who value continuous access to on-field action and the immediacy of live commentary. As audiences increasingly seek diverse viewing experiences, the appeal of Spanish-language broadcasts continues to grow, shaping how Americans engage with the World Cup and, more broadly, how language learning and cultural exchange unfold in real time around a globally shared event.