​The FIFA World Cup has long gathered the world’s best soccer teams for nearly a century, but the 2026 edition has delivered its most dramatic impact yet in the United States. This week alone underscored that shift with record-breaking viewership across multiple platforms. On Monday, the U.S.-Belgium game drew a combined 42 million viewers on Fox, Telemundo, and Peacock, marking the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history and the most-watched Team USA match in Spanish-language media history. Then, on Sunday night, the Mexico-U.K. clash attracted 44.8 million viewers across platforms, becoming the most-watched non-USMNT FIFA Men’s World Cup telecast in English-language U.S. history and the most-watched soccer match ever in Spanish-language media history.
Several factors are driving this surge. For the first time, the United States, Canada, and Mexico share hosting duties, creating more favorable time windows for American audiences. The performances of both the U.S. and Mexico—before their recent eliminations—also helped boost interest, while the tournament’s star power continued to shine globally with icons such as Lionel Messi of Argentina, Kylian Mbappe of France, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, Harry Kane of England, and Erling Haaland of Norway drawing attention worldwide. Broadcasters expanded their reach this year through Telemundo and Fox’s streaming options—Peacock and Fox Bet, respectively—making it easier for English- and Spanish-speaking fans to follow their teams in real time. Fox, in particular, broadcast a record 72 matches, more than doubling the number of games shown on the network in 2022.
The Spanish-language audience has been especially robust. Across the 72 group-stage matches, nearly half of all World Cup viewers in the U.S. watched in Spanish, with Telemundo and Peacock accounting for 48 percent of the combined audience. “These results reinforce what we’ve believed from the beginning: today’s fans want to experience the World Cup on their terms—whether that’s on broadcast television, streaming, digital, or social,” said Joaquin Duro, Telemundo’s EVP of sports and head of streaming, in a statement to TheWrap. “Our strategy has been to build a truly integrated experience across every platform, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see audiences responding the way they have.”
The record audiences illustrate how streaming availability and strategic broadcasting have given the 2026 World Cup a substantial boost, underscoring the importance for broadcasters like Fox and Telemundo to keep subscribers engaged through multiple channels. As sports content remains a central pillar of many streaming services’ strategies, the World Cup offers a prime example of how accessibility and platform diversification can translate into extraordinary viewership numbers.
This edition has also highlighted the breadth of global talent and appeal, with marquee players and teams capturing attention across continents. The tournament’s growth in the U.S. market is a testament to the blending of traditional broadcast with modern streaming, along with the enduring allure of soccer’s biggest stage. The combination of accessible schedules, star power, and integrated viewing options signals a future where the World Cup continues to break new ground in American media consumption.