{"id":1581,"date":"2026-07-21T12:23:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T12:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uscnews.org\/?p=1581"},"modified":"2026-07-21T12:23:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T12:23:02","slug":"this-years-supersized-world-cup-had-some-things-go-wrong-there-was-also-a-lot-that-went-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uscnews.org\/?p=1581","title":{"rendered":"This year\u2019s supersized World Cup had some things go wrong. There was also a lot that went right"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spain players, from left, cheer alongside President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the conclusion of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/small><\/p>\n

2026-07-21T10:00:08Z<\/p>\n

There are a lot of things that could have gone wrong during this summer\u2019s World Cup<\/a><\/span> \u2014 a complicated logistical undertaking that included three host nations, 16 stadiums, 48 teams, 104 games and endless opportunities for controversy<\/a><\/span> on and off the soccer field.<\/p>\n

But in retrospect, a lot of things went right.<\/p>\n

The United States, Canada and Mexico spent nearly six weeks hosting soccer\u2019s biggest showcase and \u2014 at least for the most part \u2014 the action stayed on the field. <\/p>\n

Star players like Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi<\/a><\/span>, France\u2019s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/a><\/span> and Norway\u2019s Erling Haaland<\/a><\/span> became household names across North America, television ratings remained high in the U.S. even after the Americans were eliminated<\/a><\/span> and despite high ticket prices, most games featured packed stadiums.<\/p>\n

FIFA President Gianni Infantino<\/a><\/span> gave effusive praise to the host countries on Sunday after Spain won the final<\/a><\/span> by beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.<\/p>\n

Attendance was good, so were ratings<\/h2>\n

Fox broadcast all 104 games in English on its platforms and American viewership remained strong even after the U.S. was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16.<\/p>\n

Spanish broadcasts on Telemundo were also a popular option<\/a><\/span> \u2014 even for non-native speakers.<\/p>\n

Fox hasn\u2019t yet released its viewership numbers for Sunday\u2019s final, but Telemundo\u2019s preliminary numbers show the Spain-Argentina matchup had a total audience of 22.6 million, putting it on track to become the most-watched World Cup final in Spanish-language media history.<\/p>\n

The US-Belgium game on July 6 was watched by more than 45 million, including 33.1 million on Fox and 12 million on Telemundo.<\/p>\n

And despite a few early hiccups<\/a><\/span>, stadium attendance was strong throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have had a record number of spectators in the stadiums, almost 7 million,\u201d Infantino said. \u201cWe will have had, I mean the official figures will come out soon, but probably over 6 billion people watching it from home.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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