USMNT Draws 24.4 Million Viewers for 2-0 World Cup Win, Setting English-Language Soccer Record
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 3
USMNT Draws 24.4 Million Viewers for 2-0 World Cup Win, Setting English-Language Soccer Record
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 3
Summary
Fox Sports said 24.4 million viewers watched the United States beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night, with the audience peaking at 31.8 million.
The Santa Clara win sent the USMNT into the round of 16 and marked its first World Cup knockout victory since 2002, helping drive the record audience.
The telecast surpassed the previous English-language soccer mark of 22.3 million set by the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final.
Across both English and Spanish broadcasts, the same match drew 33.53 million viewers, while the tournament's biggest combined U.S. audience so far remains Mexico-Ecuador at 29.3 million.
Will record viewership translate into lasting growth, or is this just a temporary World Cup phenomenon for US soccer?
How can the USMNT topple Belgium in the Round of 16 without its star striker Folarin Balogun?
Is the controversial red card against Balogun proof that VAR is fundamentally flawed for high-stakes World Cup matches?
USMNT Shatters World Cup Viewership Records: 2026 Tournament Ignites Soccer Boom in the United States
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has set new records for television viewership in the United States, with the US Men's National Team (USMNT) at the center of this surge. Their matches, especially the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, drew unprecedented audiences, reflecting the nation's growing interest in soccer. As the USMNT advanced through the tournament, more viewers tuned in, leading to significant ratings increases for broadcasters like Fox Sports and Telemundo. Both English and Spanish-language broadcasts saw their audiences double compared to the previous World Cup, highlighting a remarkable rise in engagement and enthusiasm for the sport across the country.