Interest in football grows before the World Cup in North America
The football fan base in North America grew 10.9% in the last five years and now exceeds 136 million people, according to a report released this Tuesday (9) by Nielsen. The study highlights the increased interest in the sport on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The research, which analyzed audience trends in the tournament's three host countries, found that Lionel Messi's debut for Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup boosted the competition's audience on linear channels, registering a 173% jump in relation to the tournament average.
"The MLS Cup final saw a 97% increase compared to 2024, with Inter Miami winning, proving that domestic football is also reaping the benefits of growing interest in the sport," Nielsen said in the report.
According to the study, the United States has the fourth largest football fan base in the world, with 62.5 million followers.
"Nielsen's new report demonstrates the significant and measurable growth in the popularity of football in North America, reinforcing the decision to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the continent," said a FIFA spokesperson.
The survey also showed that 64% of those interviewed believe that their interest in football will continue to increase, while almost a quarter of fans have started following the sport in the last five years.
In addition, about seven in ten participants said their interest has grown over the past three years as the World Cup approaches.
Mexico remains the strongest market in the region, with football leading the sports preference and reaching 63% of engagement. In the United States, the sport occupies fourth place among the most popular sports, while in Canada it appears in third place.
According to the report, North American fans tend to be younger and with greater purchasing power: 76% belong to the Millennial and Z generations. The study also highlights that female engagement is higher than that observed in Europe.
Across North America, 72% of fans follow football on television or streaming platforms, while social networks remain an important complementary channel for content consumption. The 2026 World Cup will start on Thursday (11).
Iranian players receive US visas to play in the World Cup, says White House
Source: CNN