2026 World Cup: Messi and Argentina draw the second largest audience in YouTube history

Argentina’s resounding 3-0 victory over Algeria at the 2026 World Cup didn’t just turn heads on the pitch—it also shattered digital viewership records. Broadcast by CazéTV, the match peaked at an astonishing 11.567 million connected devices tuned in simultaneously, making it the second biggest live audience in YouTube’s global history.

Powered by a Lionel Messi hat-trick, La Albiceleste drew millions of viewers from around the globe. This clash also became the most-watched match in CazéTV’s history without Brazil’s national team, once again confirming the immense popularity of the Argentine superstar and his squad.

Only Brazil stands above

Despite this feat, the all-time record is still held by the Brazil vs. Morocco match (1-1), which brought together 12.6 million connected devices. The podium is rounded out by the draw between Portugal and DR Congo (1-1), which attracted 10.6 million online viewers.

These figures highlight the extraordinary excitement generated by the 2026 World Cup and the ability of football’s biggest global stars, like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, to command record-breaking audiences on streaming platforms.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.