2026 World Cup TV Ratings Surpass Previous Records for Fox and Telemundo The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already broken early television ratings records for Fox and Telemundo, with significant increases compared to the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Nielsen data shows that the first 16 group stage matches averaged 6 million viewers on Fox and its cable network FS1, a 128% rise from the 2022 World Cup. Meanwhile, Telemundo, the Comcast-owned Spanish-language network, recorded an average of 7.5 million viewers for its first 12 group stage matches, a 234% increase over the previous edition. These figures highlight the growing popularity of the tournament in North America, where the event is being held for the first time since 1994. The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team’s opening match against Paraguay, held at SoFi Stadium on Friday, set a new record for the most-watched World Cup game on both English and Spanish-language television. The match drew 18 million viewers on Fox and its streaming platforms, while Telemundo’s broadcast averaged 9.5 million. This surge in viewership is attributed to the tournament’s location in the U.S., which has allowed for larger home crowds and increased media coverage. Patrick Rishe, director of the sports business program at Washington University in St. Louis, noted that hosting the World Cup in North America has a “huge impact on ratings,” particularly with a competitive U.S. team drawing enthusiastic audiences. Fox Sports president Mike Mulvihill emphasized that the rise in viewership is due to more accurate Nielsen data that now includes out-of-home viewing, such as fans watching matches at bars, fan festivals, and smaller gatherings. “For many years, the numbers were under-counted,” Mulvihill said, “and what we’re seeing now is a truer representation of the sports audience.#fox #sofi_stadium #2026_world_cup #telemundo #arrowhead_stadium
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick brilliance offers redemption for Kansas City area’s World Cup commotion The World Cup match in Kansas City on Tuesday night became an emotional rollercoaster for fans, blending frustration with euphoria as the city’s preparations for hosting the tournament faced significant challenges. The game, held at Arrowhead Stadium, delivered a dramatic climax when Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the best soccer player in the world, scored a hat-trick, transforming the atmosphere from one of logistical chaos to collective celebration. For many, the event marked a turning point, turning initial doubts about the city’s readiness into a sense of pride and joy. The journey to the stadium was fraught with obstacles. Hours before kickoff, the author and their family found themselves stranded on Blue Ridge Cutoff, the primary route into the stadium, as traffic ground to a halt. Despite attempts to convince the bus driver to let them disembark and walk, the family remained stuck, fearing they would miss the game. The frustration was compounded by the labyrinthine layout of the stadium’s arrival process, which left fans wandering in circles, following confusing directions from event volunteers. The experience, described as “Seuss-ian,” took nearly two hours and 2.5 miles of walking to reach their seats, raising questions about the efficiency of the city’s logistics. Despite the chaos, the game itself proved to be a redemption arc. Messi’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Repeatedly receiving the ball in the midfield, he pivoted toward goal, drawing the crowd into a surging wave of anticipation. Each goal, even the one initially called back for offsides, triggered pandemonium that rivaled the excitement of Chiefs touchdowns.#lionel_messi #kansas_city #world_cup #arrowhead_stadium #blue_ridge_cutoff
