The World Cup Is Drawing One of Its Biggest U.S. Audiences Yet

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already shaping up to be one of the most-watched soccer events in U.S. history.

According to a new Gallup survey, 40% of American adults say they plan to watch at least some of the tournament on television. That's significantly higher than the roughly 30% Gallup recorded in most previous World Cup years and nearly matches the 38% measured in 1994, the last time the tournament was held in the United States.

The findings suggest that bringing the World Cup back to North America may be doing exactly what FIFA hoped: attracting new viewers and generating renewed interest in soccer across the country.

The 2026 tournament, which began June 11, is being played across 16 cities in North America, with most matches taking place in the United States. Team USA played its first match on June 12.

The World Cup Is Pulling in More Americans Than Usual

Gallup found that 8% of Americans plan to watch "as much as possible," while another 32% expect to tune in for at least some of the action.

Not surprisingly, enthusiasm is especially high among existing soccer fans. Among Americans who identify as soccer fans, 83% say they plan to watch at least some of the tournament, while 27% intend to watch as much as they can.

According to Gallup's analysis, interest is strongest among men, younger adults, college graduates, upper-income Americans, people of color, and residents of the Eastern United States.

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Could This Be Soccer's Biggest Opportunity Yet?

The survey also highlights soccer's unique position in the American sports landscape.

Today, 27% of U.S. adults describe themselves as fans of professional soccer. That places the sport in the middle tier of major American sports—behind football, baseball, and basketball, but ahead of several others.

More importantly, soccer's fan base has remained relatively stable over the past decade, even as fan interest in many traditional sports has declined.

Gallup notes that soccer fandom is particularly strong among younger Americans, a trend that could help fuel future growth. Among young adults, 34% identify as soccer fans, compared to lower levels among older age groups.

What the Numbers Say About Soccer's Future in America

The World Cup has long served as a gateway event for casual sports fans, and this year's tournament appears to be no exception.

While football remains America's favorite sport by a wide margin, Gallup's findings suggest soccer continues to gain relevance—especially among younger audiences who will shape the future of sports viewership.

With 4 in 10 Americans planning to tune in and millions of matches being played on home soil, the 2026 World Cup may represent the sport's biggest opportunity yet to convert casual viewers into lifelong fans.

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source https://www.mensjournal.com/news/world-cup-us-viewership-2026