World Cup final draws record 62.8M U.S. viewers

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final, held on July 19, 2026, drew a record 62.8 million U.S. viewers across Fox and Telemundo, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. television history. The match, which saw Spain defeat an unnamed opponent, peaked at 60 million viewers in North America, according to data from Fox Sports and other sources. The previous record for a soccer telecast in the U.S. was set by the 2015 Women's World Cup final, which drew 26.7 million viewers. The 2026 final's audience was more than double that figure, reflecting the growing popularity of soccer in the United States. Fox alone recorded 38.937 million viewers for the match, while Telemundo's Spanish-language broadcast contributed additional millions. The record-breaking viewership underscores the success of the 2026 World Cup, which was co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament's final match was the most-watched soccer game in U.S. history, surpassing all previous men's and women's World Cup finals. The high ratings are likely to boost interest in the sport ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America. The next major soccer event in the U.S. will be the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to draw even larger audiences.