The United States, a co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, has surpassed 8 million in all-time cumulative attendance.
FIFA announced through social media Friday, Korea time, that "the United States has recorded the highest cumulative attendance among all FIFA World Cup host nations."
Through the Round of 16 match between France and Paraguay held at a Philadelphia stadium in the United States on Friday, the 69 matches held in the United States during this tournament drew 4,420,064 spectators.
The United States, which recorded 3,587,538 spectators across 52 matches when it hosted the World Cup alone in 1994, thereby reached a combined 8,008,212 spectators across World Cup matches held in the United States, surpassing 8 million cumulatively. FIFA gave significance to the milestone, saying it "celebrates the tremendous love for football in the United States."
Before the tournament opened, there were concerns that it would be a sparse event due to high ticket prices and the US visa policy. However, most of the host stadiums in the United States are "mammoth-class" and capable of accommodating large crowds, and with thrilling matches unfolding day after day, the tournament achieved a major box-office success. The advance of host nation United States to the Round of 16 also drew massive crowds.
