The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, which saw Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium, drew a record 38.9 million viewers to Fox, making it the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in United States history. The audience for the championship match peaked at approximately 51.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen data. This record-breaking performance caps a tournament that saw strong viewership numbers across the board for Fox, which broadcast all 104 matches in English. Despite the U.S. men's national team's elimination in the Round of 16 by Belgium, viewer interest remained high throughout the event.
Fox averaged 7.73 million viewers for its World Cup broadcasts, which aired on Fox, FS1, and the streaming service Tubi. These figures represent a significant increase from previous tournaments, with the 2022 World Cup averaging 3.588 million viewers and the 2018 World Cup drawing an average of 2.77 million viewers. The Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo also reported record ratings, with its coverage of the final attracting 23.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched Spanish-language soccer broadcast in the U.S.
The tournament's widespread appeal was fueled by exciting on-field action and the emergence of international stars who captivated American audiences. Players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Folarin Balogun became widely recognized names across the United States during the competition.
The third-place match between England and France also garnered substantial viewership, with Fox's broadcast, including pre-match coverage, averaging 13.13 million viewers. This also set a new record for a third-place World Cup match in English. Telemundo reported 7.7 million viewers for the same match, establishing a record for a Spanish-language broadcast of a third-place game.