U.S. debut in World Cup generates 24.886 million viewers - NBC Sports
The U.S. men's national team's opening match of the 2026 World Cup drew nearly 25 million viewers, significantly outperforming major domestic sports league finals. This indicates a massive shift in soccer's popularity within the United States.
Why it matters
The viewership data suggests soccer is rapidly becoming a top-tier commercial sport in the U.S., challenging the dominance of traditional leagues like the NBA and MLB.
There was a time when soccer was an afterthought in the United States. Times have definitely changed.
The article relies on objective viewership statistics and industry reporting.
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