World Cup in Qatar sets record breaking TV audience

Now that we’re in the knockout stages of the World Cup, soccer’s highest governing body, FIFA, has claimed that the tournament in the Gulf Nation is already delivering record breaking audience across the globe.  

In the United States, the coverage of the national team’s encounter against England amassed the record of the most watched men’s soccer match ever in the country with a peak audience of 19.65 million viewers on FOX.

Also, NBC Universal’s Spanish language coverage Telemundo of the same match was the second watched World Cup group stage encounter in Spanish language history.

Mexico clash breaks records

In neighboring Mexico, the national side’s group stage clash against Argentina saw national audience of 20.96 million viewers.

This accounted for a 67.9% share across all broadcasting channels which was significantly higher than any televised match from the World Cup held in Russia in 2018.

The Albiceleste won the encounter 2-0 keeping their hopes alive of the tournament with 8.48 million viewers watching their favorite stars back home in Argentina.

A similar pattern was observed in Europe garnering staggering numbers in viewership.

Spain and Germany draw European viewers

More than 11.9 million viewers tuned in for the one all draw between Spain and Germany, in what was arguably the most anticipated clash in the group stages.

65% of people watched Luis Enrique’s side taking on the Germans, a viewership record, exceeding any of the group stage matches heled in Russia four years back.

In Netherlands too, more than three-fourth of the country watched their side draw 1-1 against Ecuador, a record TV audience in 2022.

Elsewhere in France, more than 14.6 million people witnessed Kylian Mbappe’s late winner against Denmark. This was just a shade above the 14 million viewers who also tuned in the Les Blues’ opening 4-1 win over Australia.   

With Asian teams doing well, there was no surprise that the World Cup fever is high in the continent.

Over 36.37 million viewers tuned in for Japan’s narrow 1-0 loss to Costa Rica after the Asian side had shocked Germany 2-1 in their opening match. This was 74% higher than the average group stage audience during the World Cup from four years back.

In South Korea too, 11.14 million people watched the 0-0 draw Uruguay. This was a staggering 97% increase in audience compared to group stage matches at Brazil 2014 and 18% higher Russia 2018.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Wolfgang Maria Weber