USMNT World Cup Opener Draws Record 16 Million English-Language Viewers

The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay drew 15.986 million viewers across Fox, Fox One, and Tubi, setting a new English-language telecast record for USMNT World Cup matches, Deadline reported. The 4-1 win at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles saw a +106% increase in viewership compared to the team's first group stage match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which drew 7.763 million viewers for the U.S.-Wales game, according to Deadline. The surge was largely attributed to the game being held domestically with no time zone difference.

DeadlineUSMNT's World Cup opener vs. Paraguay draws record 16M English-language viewers on Fox platforms

"The 4-1 win at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles saw a +106% increase in viewership compared to the team's first group stage match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (U.S.-Wales, 7.763M), largely attributed to the game being held domestically with no time zone difference."

Variety reported that Fox Sports and Telemundo both set record viewership numbers for World Cup broadcasts. The USMNT's win over Paraguay on Friday drew nearly 16 million viewers on Fox, making it the most-watched USMNT World Cup telecast in English-language history. Additionally, Telemundo's broadcast of Mexico's win over South Africa on Thursday attracted 12.1 million viewers, the most-watched World Cup game in Spanish-language history, Variety noted. The U.S.-Paraguay match was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, according to Variety.

VarietyUSMNT World Cup Win Over Paraguay Sets English-Language Viewership Record with Nearly 16 Million Viewers

Both outlets highlighted the significance of hosting the tournament on home soil. The domestic setting eliminated time zone barriers that typically suppress viewership for U.S. fans, as Deadline explained. This milestone underscores the growing interest in soccer in the United States, with record-breaking numbers across both English and Spanish language broadcasts early in the tournament.