World Cup 2026: opening ceremony shatters viewership records

World Cup 2026 Today at 03:46

Aliou Toundé

News Editor

11.06.26 FT World Cup

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The opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup was a resounding success. Estimates suggest nearly 1.2 billion people tuned in to watch the event worldwide.

This staggering figure puts the World Cup far ahead of other sporting spectacles. For comparison, the Super Bowl drew about 125 million viewers—almost ten times fewer. With performances from Shakira, Burna Boy, and a host of other dazzling acts at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, FIFA delivered on its promise to turn the tournament’s kickoff into a global extravaganza.

These viewership numbers once again underscore the incredible popularity of the World Cup, which remains the most watched sporting event on the planet. And with the tournament only just getting underway, these figures already reflect the exceptional excitement generated by World Cup 2026.

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