​Yes, soccer has established itself as a mainstream American sport. The World Cup matches featuring the U.S. team drew exceptionally large television audiences, and other games in the tournament performed well as well. According to Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal, the 16 games in the single-elimination Round of 32 averaged about 16.9 million U.S. viewers when combining the English-language broadcast on Fox with the Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and Peacock. Fox and FS1 contributed roughly 9.5 million to that total, while Telemundo and Peacock accounted for about 7.4 million. The Spanish-language average was evenly split between linear television and streaming, with an impressive 3.7 million viewers on Peacock alone on average.
As for how high the numbers can climb, the outcome would likely have been even stronger if the United States or Mexico had advanced to the quarterfinals. Still, millions of Americans and viewers across other countries tuned in to the World Cup, underscoring soccer’s growing footprint in the United States. With the stakes rising as the tournament progresses and the total number of games shrinking, broadcast numbers have the potential to reach unprecedented levels.
From a broader perspective, the World Cup has become a major television phenomenon in the United States, driven by a dedicated and expanding fan base, compelling matchups, and a multi-platform distribution strategy that combines traditional broadcast with streaming options. The American audience has shown a willingness to engage across platforms, which is reflected in the robust figures for both Fox’s linear broadcasts and Telemundo’s Spanish-language presentation, as well as the rising viewership on streaming services like Peacock.
This trajectory signals more than just immediate numbers; it points to long-term growth for soccer’s presence in the U.S. market. As viewership consolidates around marquee matches and the competition tightens, the possibility exists for record-breaking audiences, especially if the U.S. team remains competitive and advances deeper into the tournament. Even without reaching the quarterfinals, the World Cup demonstrates enduring appeal and the potential for continued expansion in mainstream American sports culture.