World Cup
U.S. men's team sends Belgium clash into record books
The United States men's team's round-of-16 match against Belgium at the FIFA World Cup delivered the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history, according to preliminary ratings released Tuesday by Fox.
Preliminary figures show the game drew a record audience, surpassing all previous soccer broadcasts in the United States. The ratings spike underscores the growing popularity of the FIFA World Cup in the American market.
Fox confirmed the milestone after compiling early data from Tuesday's release. The network did not provide exact viewership numbers but indicated the figures were the highest ever recorded for a soccer match in the country.
The United States men's team's progression to the knockout stage fueled interest in the Belgium encounter. The match marked the first time the U.S. side reached the round of 16 at a FIFA World Cup since 2002.
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Belgium, ranked among the tournament favorites, entered the game as heavy favorites. The Belgians had topped their group with maximum points before facing the United States. The record-breaking telecast reflects broader trends in U.S. soccer consumption. Major League Soccer and international competitions have seen steady growth in viewership over recent years. Fox's announcement came just one day after the match concluded, highlighting the immediate impact of the fixture on American audiences. For the United States men's team, the record audience offers a platform to build on their World Cup momentum. The team's performance in the tournament has drawn renewed attention to the sport domestically. Belgium, meanwhile, continued their pursuit of a first FIFA World Cup title. Their clash with the United States served as a high-stakes test in the knockout rounds.