Record-Breaking Audience
The United States' World Cup showdown with Belgium attracted an unprecedented audience, cementing its place as the most-watched soccer broadcast ever in the country.
Belgium secured a 4-1 victory that not only decided the tie but also sent the U.S. team home, adding a dramatic narrative to the viewership surge.
The match's climax, occurring between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, drew a peak of 36.8 million viewers, underscoring the moment's magnetic pull.
Overall, the telecast averaged 30 million viewers, eclipsing the previous high set by the U.S.-Bosnia-Herzegovina encounter, which attracted 26.4 million.
Fox, the network that aired the game, highlighted the achievement as a testament to the growing appetite for international soccer among American audiences.