U.S. debut in World Cup generates 24.886 million viewers
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The opening match of the U.S. men’s national team in the 2026 World Cup at SoFi Stadium drew 24.886 million viewers across English and Spanish broadcasts.
- The 4-1 victory over Paraguay attracted 15.986 million viewers on Fox and 8.9 million on Telemundo, Peacock, and Telemundo streaming platforms combined.
- This viewership surpasses the average audiences for the NBA Finals (19.6 million), 2025 World Series (15.863 million), and Stanley Cup Final (5 million).
- The high viewership is from just the first U.S. match, with potential for even larger audiences as the tournament progresses, especially if the U.S. advances to the knockout stage.
- The U.S. team’s next match is scheduled for Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle.