2026 World Cup Breaks Records: Unprecedented Attendance, Stadiums Reach 99.7% Capacity

The 2026 FIFA World Cup witnessed exceptional achievements in terms of attendance and television viewership, in a edition described as the largest in the tournament’s history after its expansion to 48 national teams. According to Agence France-Presse, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the tournament exceeded expectations, setting new records across various indicators. FIFA announced that stadium attendance in the United States, Canada, and Mexico surpassed 6.6 million fans before the conclusion of the tournament, while media outlets estimated total attendance at approximately 6.81 million spectators across 104 matches, pending final official figures. Stadium occupancy reached 99.7%, with an average attendance of over 65,000 spectators per match. The international federation also noted unprecedented levels of television viewership and digital engagement, though detailed figures have not yet been published. Expectations remain that the tournament will generate record revenues exceeding 7 billion euros. Additionally, Infantino revealed that discussions within FIFA are ongoing regarding the potential expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, with the proposal referred to the International Football Association Board for consideration.