What’s happening? Alarming poll finds that half of Americans do not care about the World Cup
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- A recent Emerson College poll found that 45% of Americans surveyed expressed no interest in the 2026 World Cup, with only 22% very interested and 33% somewhat interested.
- Interest in the tournament varies by age and race, with over 70% of 18-29-year-olds showing some interest, compared to 58% of those aged 60-69 being uninterested; Black and Hispanic respondents showed higher interest levels than white respondents.
- Some Scottish fans in Boston reported that many Americans they encountered were unaware the World Cup was taking place, highlighting a lack of widespread awareness.
- High ticket prices, with some seats costing over $1,000 and top tickets reaching $2,735, have led to slow sales and discounts by scalpers, indicating economic barriers to attendance.
- Despite lower domestic interest and expensive tickets, FIFA expects 5.8 billion viewers worldwide, and the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa begins today, with the U.S. playing Paraguay on Friday.