The lofty numbers behind America's World Cup boom - but can US go where they've never gone before?

The lofty numbers behind America’s World Cup boom highlight how the US’s tournament start has translated into major television audiences. Twenty days into the competition, FOX Sports’ World Cup coverage—after paying $485 million for US media rights—reported that the US opening match versus Paraguay drew 19 million viewers on Friday primetime, rising to 26 million when Spanish-language viewers on Telemundo and Peacock were included. The other two Group games held totals above 23 million. For context, Donald Trump’s 2024 inauguration reached 24.6 million across 15 networks, and the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals win averaged 20.6 million per game on ABC and ESPN. The USMNT’s reward for finishing top of Group D is a Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara on Wednesday at the temporarily renamed 75,000-seat San Francisco Bay Stadium, where tickets cost up to $1,200.