World Cup Group Stage Draws Record 4.6 Million Fans Across Host Nations

The group stage of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup attracted a record 4.6 million spectators, setting a new benchmark for attendance at the tournament and reinforcing the success of the competition's new 48-team format. The milestone was reached after all 72 group-stage matches were played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA said the average attendance exceeded 63,000 fans per match, with stadiums across the three host nations consistently recording large crowds. Several fixtures were sold out, reflecting strong local support as well as the global appeal of the tournament, which has welcomed fans from around the world.

The tournament has also produced a series of memorable moments on the pitch, with emerging football nations such as Canada and Cape Verde making historic progress to the knockout rounds. The expanded format has created more opportunities for new teams to compete on the global stage while maintaining high levels of fan interest throughout the group phase.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the attendance figures as further evidence of football's growing global popularity, noting that the competition has brought together millions of supporters across North America. With the knockout stage now underway, organisers expect total attendance to continue rising as the race for the World Cup title intensifies.

The record-breaking crowds are expected to strengthen FIFA's confidence in the expanded tournament format, which increased the number of participating nations from 32 to 48 while adding extra matches and host venues.