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SportsFox draws 33 million viewers for U.S.-Belgium World Cup match, setting U.S. single-network soccer record
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The U.S.-Belgium round-of-16 World Cup match on Fox drew 33 million viewers, setting a record for the most-watched soccer telecast on a single network in U.S. history. The game peaked at 41 million viewers during the second half. This follows a trend of record-breaking audiences for USMNT matches in the 2026 World Cup, including the round-of-32 game against Bosnia (26.395 million) and group stage games against Paraguay (18.039 million) and Turkey (17.015 million). The tournament continues with quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final on July 19, though U.S. TV records may not fall without the U.S. or Mexico playing.
Source report
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino consoles Chris Richards after the team's World Cup loss to Belgium, a game that peaked on Fox with more than 41 million viewers. — Steven Bisig / Imagn Images
By Dan Shanoff July 9, 2026 | Updated July 10, 2026
The United States' round-of-16 loss to Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become the most-watched soccer telecast on a single network in U.S. history, drawing more than 33 million viewers on Fox, according to final audience totals from Nielsen.
Key Viewership Highlights
- U.S. vs. Belgium (Round of 16): 33 million viewers on Fox (English-language broadcast)
- Peak viewership: Over 41 million during the second half
- Previous record: U.S. vs. Bosnia (round of 32) — 26.395 million viewers on Fox
USMNT World Cup Ratings Breakdown
The U.S. men's national team set multiple viewership records throughout the tournament:
| Match | Viewers (Fox) | Notes | |-------|---------------|-------| | U.S. vs. Paraguay (Group Stage) | 18.039 million | Record at the time | | U.S. vs. Turkey (Group Stage) | 17.015 million | Close behind | | U.S. vs. Bosnia (Round of 32) | 26.395 million | Previous English-language record | | U.S. vs. Belgium (Round of 16) | 33 million | New all-time record |
Broader World Cup Viewership Context
- The England vs. Mexico match the previous day also drew massive U.S. audiences: 21.7 million on Fox and 23.2 million on Telemundo.
Upcoming Broadcasts
The World Cup continues on Fox and Telemundo with:
- Three quarterfinal matches across Friday and Saturday
- Semifinals next week
- World Cup Final on July 19
While U.S. TV records may not fall in the coming days without the U.S. or Mexico playing, the 2026 tournament has already cemented its place in U.S. sports television history, with phrases like "most-watched ever" recurring consistently over the past month.
Related Coverage
- England Advances
- Argentina Beats Switzerland
- South African Player Dies
- Quarterfinals Predictions
- Golden Boot Race
- World Cup Bracket
Source
Soccer - The AthleticWestern
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USMNT World Cup matches set record US soccer TV viewership