Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 set records for U.S. television viewership. The match garnered an average of 38.9 million viewers on FOX, making it the most-watched soccer telecast and FIFA World Cup final in U.S. history, according to Nielsen. In Spanish-language broadcasts, Telemundo and Peacock attracted 23.9 million viewers, also a record for Spanish-language television.
Overall, the final was watched by a total of 62.8 million viewers, peaking at 51.7 million as Spain scored the only goal of the match in overtime, winning 1-0. The viewership for this final marked a 132% increase over the previous FIFA World Cup Final in 2022 and a 240% increase compared to the 2018 final.
The match showcased Spain’s dominance, although Argentina’s defense held strong until extra time, where substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal. This win surpassed the previous record viewer count of 33.1 million from the U.S. national team’s Round of 16 match in 2014.
Additionally, the final featured the first on-field halftime show by FIFA and Global Citizen, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and featuring various artists like Madonna, Justin Bieber, and the Muppets.
The tournament as a whole saw a significant increase in viewership. The average audience across all 104 matches was 7.74 million, up 116% from 2022. In Spanish-language broadcasts, Telemundo and Peacock achieved a record average of 6.3 million viewers. The third-place match between France and England also set viewership records, indicating a successful 39-day tournament for both broadcasters and heightened interest in future World Cup events.
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