The United States' showdown with Belgium in the Round of 16 has etched itself into American sports history as the most-watched soccer telecast ever broadcast on U.S. television.
A record‑breaking audience
The match drew an average of 30 million viewers, with a peak of more than 36.8 million people tuning in between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. That figure eclipsed the previous high set by the U.S. versus Bosnia and Herzegovina encounter, which attracted 26.4 million viewers.
English‑language audiences have surged dramatically throughout the tournament, climbing 92 percent compared with the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Even matches that do not involve the U.S. men's team have begun to resonate with viewers, as evidenced by the Portugal‑Croatia Round of 32 clash that commanded 11.1 million viewers, a record for any non‑U.S. fixture.
Belgium's 4‑1 victory not only secured a comfortable win but also completed the elimination of all three co‑host nations, a storyline that has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. The win propelled the Belgian side into the quarterfinals, where they will meet a formidable array of opponents.
Quarterfinal landscape takes shape
The remaining quarterfinalists include France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland. Their upcoming fixtures are scheduled to unfold from Thursday through Sunday, setting the stage for a compact but intense finish to the competition.
The tournament will culminate with the World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a venue that promises to showcase the growing appetite for soccer across the United States.