US-Belgium World Cup Match Sets US Viewership Record, Reports Vary on Total
4 verified6 unconfirmed2 contested
The U.S.-Belgium World Cup round of 16 match on Monday set a record as the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history, according to reports. Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in Seattle, eliminating the last of the tournament’s three co-hosts. Both sources confirm that the game’s viewership peaked between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. However, the exact total and peak audience numbers differ between the two reports. The match aired on Fox and marked a significant ratings milestone for soccer in the United States. The previous record for a U.S. soccer telecast was set earlier in the same tournament.
What’s verified
The U.S.-Belgium match was the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history.
Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the round of 16.
The match took place on Monday in Seattle.
Viewership peaked between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. ET.
Where accounts differ
Total average viewership: One report states 33.1 million viewers, while another reports 30 million.
Peak viewership: One report states a peak of 41.03 million viewers, while another reports a peak of more than 36.8 million.
Not yet confirmed
One report states the match was the most-watched telecast on any network since Super Bowl LX and the most-watched non-NFL telecast since World Series Game 7 in 2016.
Top local markets were reported by one source as Kansas City, Boston, Seattle, St. Louis, and Philadelphia.
One report states the Fox round of 16 average was 14.465 million viewers, up 216% from 2022.
One report notes the 2026 World Cup runs June 11 to July 19.
One report says the previous U.S. soccer record was the U.S.-Bosnia game with 26.4 million viewers.
One report also includes viewership data for the Portugal-Croatia match (11.1 million viewers, peak 16 million).
Key figures
No key figures identified in the sources.
Sources: Variety, abcnews.com
