ISLAMABAD: FIFA World Cup 2026 has made an extraordinary start on and off the pitch, with opening matches involving the tournament’s three host nations, delivering record-breaking audiences across North America.
While more than one million fans have already experienced the FIFA World Cup 2026 live inside stadiums, television audiences across the host nations have also reached unprecedented heights, and more than 54 million viewers tuned in to watch opening matches featuring Canada, Mexico and the United States, highlighting the tournament’s extraordinary ability to unite and captivate audiences across North America.
Speaking of the record-breaking figures, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “What we are witnessing here is truly historic. The United States’ opening match against Paraguay was the most-watched FIFA World Cup match ever broadcast in the United States, while more than 54 million people across Canada, Mexico and the United States watched their respective nations opening matches, shattering records and showing how football is truly uniting the world.”
The FIFA President continued: “These figures tell you everything about what this tournament means to these countries, this continent and the entire world. However, this is not just about numbers - this is about millions of people from every corner of the world, coming together through football. The atmosphere, energy and passion I feel in these host countries is something incredibly special. The fans inside full stadiums, those watching at home, and some celebrating in the streets are all part of something unique.”
The United States delivered its most significant television audiences in FIFA World Cup history. The host nation’s opening victory over Paraguay attracted an average audience of 27.5 million, making it the most-watched FIFA World Cup match ever broadcast in the United States.
Mexico’s opening victory over South Africa also set new benchmarks. An average audience of 23.4 million viewers made the match the country’s most-watched FIFA World Cup game of the 21st century. The encounter achieved a remarkable 72.1% television market share, meaning nearly three out of every four television viewers in Mexico were watching tournament debut. The match also resonated strongly across the border, attracting an average audience of approximately 20 million viewers in the United States.
Canada’s opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina also demonstrated the growing nationwide enthusiasm surrounding the tournament. The match attracted an average audience of 3.1 million viewers across English and French-language broadcasters, becoming the third most-watched FIFA World Cup™ match featuring Canada’s men’s national team in the 21st century as the country began its campaign on home soil.
