World Cup final could set new TV audience record in 2026

The 2026 World Cup final is being tipped to attract about 1.8 billion television viewers worldwide, which would set a new record for a football match.

The World Cup final remains the most watched sporting event on the planet. The 2022 final, which saw Argentina beat France on penalties, drew around 1.5 billion viewers globally and sits among the biggest audiences ever recorded for sport.

Other major events have come close. India v Pakistan at the 2015 Cricket World Cup was reported to have reached about one billion viewers, while estimates for the Beijing 2008 Olympic opening ceremony have ranged from one billion to several billion.

The 2026 tournament has already posted strong audience figures. Opening matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico were watched by more than 50 million people in those three countries, and the expanded 48-team format has also boosted stadium attendance.

Analysts say the bigger field, the number of countries involved and kick-off times better suited to global audiences could all help lift the final’s reach.