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USA vs Paraguay sets new viewership records for World Cup opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 8:36 AM

Last updated Jun 17, 2026

USA vs Paraguay sets new viewership records for World Cup opener

Summary

The United States’ World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 17 saw the USMNT secure a 4-1 victory. The game drew an average of 18.037 million viewers on FOX, FOX One, and Tubi, while Telemundo added another 8.9 million Spanish-language viewers. This combined audience of 26.937 million surpassed viewer averages for the NBA Finals, World Series, and Sunday Night Football, marking a significant broadcast milestone for soccer in the U.S. FOX Sports executive Michael Mulvihill referenced these figures to highlight the historical context of this viewership record, particularly for a group-stage match. Soccer's popularity is further underscored as the U.S. prepares for its next matches in the tournament.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their World Cup opener on June 17.
•The match averaged 18.037 million viewers on FOX platforms.
•Combined viewership reached 26.937 million with Telemundo's audience.
•This figure outperformed NBA, NFL, and MLB championship averages.
•The high numbers set a new standard for soccer viewership in the U.S.

Latest Updates

8:36 AMYahoo Sports — USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game breaks major NBA, NFL, and MLB viewership records

What they're saying

"
The United States’ World Cup opener against Paraguay not only delivered a statement win on the field but also produced a TV audience big enough to beat some of America’s biggest sports benchmarks. FOX and Telemundo could hardly have asked for a stronger start, with the USMNT’s 4-1 win pulling in casual viewers and soccer fans at record-setting scale.
— Yahoo Sports

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