The 2026 Fifa World Cup just kicked off on Thursday, but the global soccer event has already punted past viewership records.
The opening game, a 2-0 matchup between Mexico and South Africa, has become the most-watched World Cup opening game, regardless of language, delivering 12.1 million viewers across NBCUniversal’s Telemundo, Peacock and Telemundo streaming platforms, per Nielsen Fast National data.
Additionally, it is the most-viewed World Cup game in Spanish-language history, most-streamed Mexico match and Group Stage match in Spanish-language history, as well as the most-watched Group Stage game not featuring Team USA, regardless of language.
The NBCU stats follow up a previous record set by Fox’s telecast of the opening day tournament, yielding 6.3 million viewers across Fox, Fox One and Tubi, per a combination of early Nielsen ratings and internal data. Similarly to its broadcast network competitor, that makes it the most-watched English-language U.S. telecast of a Men’s World Cup opening match ever, as well as the best audience for any non-U.S. Men’s National Team Group Stage telecast at the Men’s World Cup in English-language U.S. history.
The USMNT sailed further past streaming records, with its Friday night SoFi Stadium-held showdown against Paraguay delivering nearly 16 million viewers and 9 million viewers, respectively, becoming Team USA’s most watched English-language and Spanish-language World Cup telecast ever.
The excitement for the quadrennial sporting event continues into the weekend. Already, Qatar and Switzerland ended with a late-stage 1-1 draw. The game between Brazil and Morocco is currently airing, with the latter leading by one goal. Later tonight, Haiti and Scotland will face off, as will Australia against Türkiye.
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