The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Brazil and France drew a record 1.8 billion global viewers, making it the most-watched sporting event in human history and more than doubling the audience of the previous World Cup final. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was hailed as a landmark success for American soccer.
Brazil won 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the winning goal scored in the 118th minute. The US team, eliminated in the quarterfinals, nonetheless drew praise for its performance and generated unprecedented domestic interest in soccer.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino called it the greatest World Cup in history, announcing that the next tournament in 2030 will be held across six continents simultaneously for the first time.