Spain-France World Cup Match Sets U.S. English-Language TV Record
9 reported
According to a single-source report from Variety, the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal match between Spain and France averaged 11.462 million viewers on Fox, making it the most-watched FIFA Men’s World Cup semifinals telecast in U.S. English-language TV history. The match took place in Dallas, Texas, and saw Spain defeat France 2-0, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. The audience peaked at 4:45 p.m. ET with an average of 15.560 million viewers. The previous record for a men’s World Cup semifinal in English-language U.S. TV was France-Morocco in 2022, which had 6.595 million viewers. The report notes that Wednesday’s semifinal between England and Argentina, underway in Atlanta, may surpass Tuesday’s viewership benchmark. The article also states that Fox’s coverage of the U.S.-Belgium match on July 6 averaged 33.086 million viewers, the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history, and that Telemundo’s Mexico-England match on July 5 was the most-watched telecast ever for Spanish-language TV in the U.S.
What’s reported
The Spain-France match averaged 11.462 million viewers on Fox.
It is the most-watched FIFA Men’s World Cup semifinals telecast in U.S. English-language TV history.
The match took place in Dallas, Texas, and Spain won 2-0.
Goals were scored by Mikel Oyarzabal (penalty) and Pedro Porro.
Audience peaked at 4:45 p.m. ET with 15.560 million viewers.
Previous record: France-Morocco in 2022 with 6.595 million viewers.
Viewership was up 76% vs. the 2022 semifinals average on Fox (6.531 million).
Fox’s U.S.-Belgium match on July 6 averaged 33.086 million viewers, a U.S. soccer telecast record.
Telemundo’s Mexico-England match on July 5 was the most-watched Spanish-language TV telecast in U.S. history.
Key figures
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain player, scored a goal)
Pedro Porro (Spain player, scored a goal)
Sources: Variety
