U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team Victory Scores Record English-Language World Cup Ratings; Mexico vs. South Africa Biggest in Spanish-Language History

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has achieved record-breaking viewership for Fox Sports and Telemundo. On Friday, the U.S. Men's National Team's victory over Paraguay garnered nearly 16 million viewers, establishing it as the most-watched English-language USMNT World Cup telecast in history, according to Fox Sports. Telemundo also reported significant viewership for the match between Mexico and South Africa, which became the most-watched World Cup match in Spanish-language history, drawing an audience of 4.5 million viewers. This surge in viewership indicates a growing interest in international soccer within the United States. The combined viewership across both networks for these early matches highlights the expanding appeal of the World Cup in the U.S. market.