More than 61 million people in the United States tuned in to watch the 2026 World Cup final that pitted Spain against Argentina, marking the largest audience ever recorded for a soccer match on American soil.
Fox's English-language broadcast delivered an average of 38.9 million viewers, establishing a new benchmark for the sport in the country, with a peak of 51.7 million during the extra-time moment when Spain clinched the victory.
Record-Breaking Numbers
The Spanish-language feed on Telemundo attracted 22.6 million average viewers and was simultaneously streamed on Peacock, expanding the reach of the tournament across multiple platforms.
The unprecedented numbers have sparked a scramble for the next cycle of broadcasting rights, with NBC reportedly evaluating a joint English and Spanish bid, while ESPN, YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime are also exploring entry into the market.
The tournament's footprint across the United States, Mexico and Canada has amplified interest in North American markets, setting the stage for heightened competition when the 2030 and 2034 World Cups are awarded.
Adding to the momentum, the forthcoming editions of the Women's World Cup will be streamed on Netflix in both English and Spanish, underscoring the growing convergence of soccer and streaming services.