The sport of soccer has seen a surge in popularity in the United States during the current World Cup tournament, with viewing figures reaching unprecedented levels. Both Fox Sports, the English-language broadcaster of the event in the U.S., and Telemundo, the Spanish-language broadcaster, set new records for audience size during the group stage matches.

Fox Sports reported that by June 25, approximately 84 million Americans had tuned in to watch at least part of its World Cup coverage. This milestone highlights the growing interest in the sport across diverse segments of the American population. The network’s executives anticipate that ratings will continue to rise throughout the knockout phase of the competition, as stakes increase and marquee matchups unfold.

The acquisition of U.S. English-language broadcast rights for the tournament came at a cost of $485 million. Media commentators have suggested that this investment could prove to be one of Fox Sports’ most successful to date, given the substantial viewer engagement during the event. The Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo has similarly benefited from heightened demand, reflecting the sport’s broad appeal among the country’s Hispanic communities.

This boost in soccer viewership contrasts with previous World Cups, where the sport struggled to capture a large American audience. The current tournament’s record-breaking figures indicate a significant shift in sports consumption patterns in the U.S., pointing to soccer’s rising prominence alongside traditionally dominant sports such as American football and basketball.