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Soccer skeptics, take note. The United States Men’s National Team drew 15.9 million average viewers for its group stage match against Turkiye on June 25, 2026, according to preliminary data from Fox Sports. The peak hit 18.1 million, the kind of number that makes network executives very happy and shuts down the “Americans don’t watch soccer” argument for at least another news cycle.
For context, that is not a fluke. The USMNT’s earlier group stage match against Australia pulled 14.7 million average viewers with a peak of 19.1 million. Two matches in, and the pattern is clear: when the US plays in a World Cup, Americans show up.
The numbers in perspective
The match aired in approximately the 9 to 10 PM ET window, which is prime real estate for live sports.
The Australia match comparison is worth dwelling on. A 19.1 million peak for that game versus 18.1 million for Turkiye suggests the Australia fixture may have had a more dramatic finish or higher-stakes moment, while the Turkiye match sustained a slightly higher floor with 15.9 million average versus 14.7 million.
Why this World Cup is different
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not just another tournament. It is the first edition to feature 48 teams, up from the traditional 32-team format. The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it the first World Cup spread across three countries.
Fox Sports holds the English-language broadcast rights for the tournament in the United States, meaning these viewership numbers flow directly to Fox’s bottom line in terms of advertising revenue and platform credibility. A 15.9 million average audience is the kind of performance that justifies the rights investment and sets the table for continued momentum if the USMNT advances.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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