USMNT Opener Draws 24.9 Million Viewers Across Fox and Telemundo After 4-1 Paraguay Win
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Jun 13
USMNT Opener Draws 24.9 Million Viewers Across Fox and Telemundo After 4-1 Paraguay Win
3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Jun 13
Summary
15.986 million viewers watched the U.S. men’s 2026 World Cup opener on Fox, Fox One and Tubi, while Telemundo, Peacock and related streams added 8.9 million, setting English- and Spanish-language records for a USMNT World Cup telecast.
The 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium benefited from a U.S. kickoff with no time-zone disadvantage, lifting English-language viewership 106% from the 2022 U.S.-Wales opener and Spanish-language viewing 156% from that match.
1.130 million average-minute viewers made it the USMNT’s most-streamed English-language match, and the Fox-side audience peaked at 18.860 million late in the second half.
The record audience came in Team USA’s first men’s World Cup on home soil since 1994; its next group-stage match is against Australia on June 19.
Will this World Cup finally cement soccer's place among America's top-tier sports after the hype fades?
Can the USMNT's record-breaking start overcome its defensive flaws to achieve a deep World Cup run?
Is the World Cup's promised economic boom a myth for American host cities footing the bill?
USMNT’s 4-1 World Cup Opener Shatters U.S. Viewership Records and Ignites National Momentum
Overview
The USMNT began their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay in front of over 70,000 fans in Inglewood, California. With the full roster available, coach Gregg Berhalter fielded a strong team that quickly took control, highlighted by an early own goal from Paraguay and two first-half goals by Folarin Balogun. The match, overseen by an international referee team, set the tone for the tournament and exceeded expectations, signaling the USMNT’s strength and generating excitement among fans and viewers as the team looks ahead to the next group stage matches.