Few expected this. Before a single ball was kicked, the 2026 FIFA World Cup looked destined for chaos in the United States. Political tensions, soaring ticket prices, visa restrictions and fears over the tournament's atmosphere all fuelled predictions of disaster. Donald Trump had threatened to annex co-host Canada, invade fellow co-host Mexico and was at odds with Iran, one of the tournament's participants. Fans from Senegal, Ivory Coast and Haiti struggled to secure visas, while expensive tickets and disappointing hotel bookings added to concerns. Critics also questioned FIFA's introduction of hydration breaks that included television commercials, accusing organisers of putting commercial interests ahead of the game. With immigration raids continuing across the country, many feared the tournament would struggle to embody FIFA's promise of uniting the world. Then everything changed. Packed stadiums, dramatic matches and record-breaking television audiences transformed the mood almost overnight. According to Sports Business Journal, the first 78 matches attracted an average attendance of 64,511 fans—around 10,000 more than the 2022 World Cup. Stadium occupancy reached 99.7%, while FIFA said it had already sold 6.5 million tickets. The crowds were not only made up of overseas visitors or immigrant communities but also Americans embracing football in unprecedented numbers. Television figures smashed previous records. Nielsen reported that the United States' round-of-16 defeat to Belgium attracted an average of 33 million viewers on Fox, peaking at 41 million during the closing stages. According to the Wall Street Journal, the audience exceeded those for both the 2025 World Series and Game 5 of last month's NBA Finals. The Athletic described it as the most-watched soccer broadcast on a single US network in history. Interest stretched far beyond the American team. England's dramatic clash with Mexico drew 21.7 million viewers on Fox and another 23.2 million on Telemundo, while both broadcasters posted record tournament averages. Polling by Ipsos Sports suggested the excitement had spread across American life. Four in ten adults followed the tournament on social media, one in four watched matches in bars or restaurants, and one in five attended a World Cup watch party. Fans described the atmosphere as impossible to escape. Brooklyn resident Alex Lawton estimated he had watched dozens of matches, often on Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo because it was a cheaper streaming option. His friend Paul Revell said football had become "completely ubiquitous" across New York City. He even recalled passengers gathering around strangers' phones on the subway, cheering together during live matches. The surge did not happen by accident. Soccer has steadily grown in popularity since the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, which helped launch Major League Soccer, while the success of the US women's national team and increased television coverage of European leagues have expanded the sport's audience. Broadcast times also worked in America's favour, with many matches taking place during primetime instead of inconvenient overnight hours. The football itself delivered constant drama. The tournament averaged three goals per match, its highest scoring rate since 1958, while stars including Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane thrilled audiences with goals and unforgettable moments. The expanded tournament also produced surprise stories. Curaçao celebrated its first-ever World Cup goal, while Cape Verde stunned many by reaching the knockout stage after progressing from the group phase. For many supporters, however, the biggest story unfolded away from the pitch. Alex Lawton called the World Cup "a brilliant reprieve and a unifying force" that brought together people from different backgrounds during a politically divided period. Scenes across the country reflected that spirit. Lawrence, Kansas welcomed Algeria's national team with chants and a live performance of the Algerian anthem, Japanese fans celebrated with Houston musicians, Scotland supporters filled Boston pubs, and communities from Los Angeles to New York packed streets and bars to watch together. Ecuadorian American Steven Guevara described strangers hugging, crying and celebrating together after Ecuador's match against Germany. As the tournament heads towards its climax, the World Cup has become far more than a sporting event for many Americans—it has become one of the country's biggest shared experiences in years. ‘A brilliant reprieve, a unifying force’: America falls in love with World Cup
