The 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France drew an audience of nearly 1.5 billion, with the upcoming 2026 edition expected to surpass that number. Compare this with the 2025 Super Bowl, which had about 190 million viewers worldwide.
Winning the World Cup is considered the ultimate honor of a player’s career. Pelé in 1958, Maradona in 1986, and Messi in 2022 are just a few of the players who have achieved historic fame and recognition through the competition.
The World Cup returns to North America for the first time since the United States hosted it in 1994, when it set records for the highest total attendance and average attendance per match. This time around, the competition has already made history. It is the first edition to feature 48 teams, the first to be cohosted by three countries, and the first to include more than 100 matches. The Tunisia vs. Japan fixture, scheduled for June 20 in Monterrey, Mexico, will be the 1,000th match in World Cup history. The tournament also coincides with the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations.
There is plenty of drama surrounding the event, both on and off the field. Italy, a four-time champion, has failed to qualify for a third straight time, making it the only former winner not to be part of the 2026 World Cup. Iran’s participation has been called into question amid tensions with the U.S., while diplomatic disputes, ticket pricing, and security concerns add to the controversies surrounding the tournament.
On the field, legendary players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are playing in what is likely to be their last World Cup; exciting stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal are set to become headliners; and the expanded roster increases the likelihood of dark horses and upsets.
Whether you're a passionate football fan or are simply curious about the world's biggest sporting event, The Pitch will give you the historical perspective and cultural context you need to truly understand what's at stake this summer!
