- Soccer Fever Sweeps North America as World Cup 2026 Nears
Excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is reaching unprecedented levels across North America, with a new study revealing that soccer’s popularity has surged dramatically ahead of the historic tournament being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to a report released by Nielsen on Tuesday, the soccer fan base across the three host nations has grown by 10.9% over the last five years, climbing to more than 136 million supporters. The findings underline the growing momentum behind the sport as the continent prepares to welcome the world for football’s biggest event.
The study highlighted several key trends that point to soccer’s rapid rise in the region, including a massive boost in television audiences, increasing youth engagement and the growing influence of social media.
One of the biggest catalysts for the surge was the arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami CF in 2023. Nielsen reported that Messi’s debut in the Leagues Cup triggered a staggering 173% increase in linear television viewership compared to the tournament’s average audience figures.
The impact extended beyond international competitions and into domestic football. Nielsen revealed that the MLS Cup final recorded a 97% increase in viewership over 2024 figures after Inter Miami captured the title, further proof that local leagues are benefiting from the sport’s growing popularity.
The United States now boasts the fourth-largest soccer fan base in the world, with approximately 62.5 million followers. FIFA believes the trend validates the decision to award the 2026 World Cup to the North American trio.
“Nielsen’s new report illustrates the profound and measurable surge in popularity of soccer in North America,” a FIFA spokesperson said, adding that the figures reinforce the governing body’s confidence in staging the tournament across the continent.
The report also showed that interest in soccer is expected to continue growing even after the World Cup begins. Around 64% of respondents said they expect their passion for the sport to increase further, while nearly one-quarter of current fans only started following soccer within the last five years.
In another encouraging sign for the game’s future, nearly seven out of every 10 respondents admitted their interest in soccer has intensified during the past three years as anticipation for the World Cup has built steadily.
Mexico remains the strongest soccer market in the region, where the sport dominates the sporting landscape with a 63% engagement rate among fans. Soccer ranks as the fourth-most followed sport in the United States and the third-most popular in Canada.
The study also revealed changing demographics among supporters in the U.S., where soccer fans are increasingly younger and wealthier. Approximately 76% belong to Millennial and Gen Z age groups, while female engagement levels were found to be higher than in many European markets.
Media consumption habits are also evolving rapidly. Across North America, 72% of fans consume soccer through television broadcasts or streaming platforms, while social media continues to play a major role in connecting supporters to teams, players and competitions.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off on Thursday, with expectations growing that the tournament could become one of the most commercially successful and widely followed editions in football history.
