The expanded 48-team format gives the tournament a broader national footprint and creates more potential entry points for casual supporters. More countries involved means more fanbases with a direct stake in the competition, particularly during the knockout rounds.
A report says opening matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico attracted more than 50 million viewers combined. If that early interest carries through the group stage and into the elimination rounds, the final should benefit from a larger pool of engaged audiences.
Scheduling could also play a role. Matches staged across the Western Hemisphere may offer more accessible viewing windows for audiences in the Americas, while the final’s global status ensures strong interest across Europe, Africa and Asia.
Global sports figures are not measured uniformly. Television audiences, streaming viewers and out-of-home consumption can be counted differently from one market to another, making direct comparisons difficult.
That matters when judging the 1.8 billion projection. The number would represent a major increase on the reported 2022 estimate, but it should be treated as an ambitious benchmark rather than an exact ranking of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
Streaming has also changed the way major football audiences consume live matches. A television-only figure may not capture the full reach of supporters watching through digital platforms, mobile devices or public screenings.
The decisive test will come after the tournament’s early momentum has been converted into a compelling storyline. A close final involving globally recognised teams could push the audience towards the projection, while a less competitive contest may limit its reach.
The next storyline to watch is whether the 48-team format delivers sustained attention throughout 2026, not merely a strong opening.