The United States’ 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match against Paraguay attracted a record-breaking 24.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched U.S. men’s national team match in history.
The figure surpassed the audience for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, which drew 23.8 million viewers.
The milestone highlights the growing impact of soccer in the United States, particularly during a World Cup hosted on home soil. With the U.S. serving as one of the tournament’s hosts, fan engagement and television ratings have reached unprecedented levels.
The record audience underscores how the World Cup is competing directly with America’s traditional sporting powerhouses and further demonstrates soccer’s expanding footprint in the U.S. sports landscape.