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League: FIFA World CupSport: SoccerCountry: GlobalCategory: Playoffs

FOX Sports sets viewership records for World Cup opening match

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 10:00 PM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

FOX Sports sets viewership records for World Cup opening match
Summary

The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup featured Mexico against South Africa and resulted in a 2-0 victory for Mexico. The broadcast reached an average of 6.309 million viewers across FOX, FS1, and Tubi, marking the highest viewership for a non-USMNT opening match in U.S. history. Viewership was up 97% from the 2022 World Cup opener. Additionally, the match peaked at 8.014 million viewers and became the most-streamed English-language opening match in FIFA World Cup history. The group stage continues on Friday with more matches scheduled.

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Yahoo Sports
Key Details
  • •Mexico defeats South Africa 2-0 in the opening match.
  • •Match averages 6.309 million viewers, a record for non-USMNT games.
  • •Viewership increases by 97% from 2022 World Cup opener.
  • •Broadcast peaked at 8.014 million viewers from 4:15-4:30 PM ET.
  • •Group stage matches will continue on Friday.
Latest Updates
  • 10:00 PMYahoo Sports — FOX Sports Smashes Non-USMT Viewership Record For Opening Of World Cup
What they're saying
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Viewership in the U.S. for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup set records. Here's the details.

Related Teams & Leagues
FIFA World CupSoccer

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