World Cup Openers Draw Big Audiences for Fox, Telemundo

Both Fox and Telemundo, along with their respective streaming partners, have set historic ratings records during the opening group stage matches of the World Cup. The broadcasts, particularly those featuring the U.S. men’s national team and Mexico, drew massive audiences, underscoring the tournament’s widespread appeal.

Key highlights include:

  • Fox Sports reported its most-watched World Cup group stage opener ever, with the U.S. vs. Wales match averaging over 11.4 million viewers across Fox and its streaming platforms. This marked a 50% increase over the 2018 opener.
  • Telemundo also shattered records, with its Spanish-language coverage of Mexico vs. Poland drawing an average of 7.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched group stage match in the network’s history.
  • Streaming numbers surged as well: Peacock (for Telemundo) and Fox’s digital platforms both saw all-time highs for a soccer event, with combined streaming minutes exceeding 1.5 billion across the first two days.

The strong viewership signals a resurgence of interest in international soccer in the U.S., with both English and Spanish-language outlets benefiting from the tournament’s prime-time slots and the emotional pull of home-region teams. Analysts attribute the numbers to increased accessibility via streaming and a diverse, engaged fanbase.

Source: Holly Wood Reporter – World Cup Openers Draw Big Audiences for Fox, Telemundo