The United States’ Round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium became the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history, according to preliminary ratings.
Fox said 30 million viewers watched Monday night’s match in Seattle, where Belgium defeated the U.S. Men’s National Team 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals and eliminate the final remaining co-host nation from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Viewership peaked at more than 36.8 million viewers between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The audience surpassed the previous record set only days earlier, when 26.4 million viewers watched the United States defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, according to Fox.
That game had already eclipsed the previous record established during the Americans’ group-stage victory over Paraguay, which drew more than 18 million viewers across Fox, FS1, and Tubi.
Fox said television audiences have continued to grow throughout the tournament, fueled in part by the U.S. team’s run to the knockout stage.
According to the network, English-language U.S. television audiences for the 72 group-stage matches increased 92% compared with the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making it the highest average English-language group-stage audience in U.S. history.
Fox also announced another television milestone on Tuesday.
The Portugal-Croatia Round of 32 match drew 11.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched English-language World Cup broadcast in U.S. history for a match not involving the U.S. national team, excluding the World Cup final. That match peaked at more than 16 million viewers during its closing minutes.
Belgium’s victory over the United States completed the elimination of all three tournament co-hosts. Canada was eliminated by Morocco, while Mexico was knocked out by England.
The remaining quarterfinalists are France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are scheduled to be played from Thursday through Sunday. The tournament concludes with the World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Provided by Dallas Express
