FIFA confirmed impressive figures in the early days of the tournament in Mexico, the United States, and Canada: over 1.5 million fans filled the stadiums, and a single day surpassed the record set in 1994
The world football party kicked off with a bang and has already left marks that are hard to forget. The 2026 World Cup, held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, became the tournament with the highest attendance in history during its first week of competition.
FIFA released numbers that clearly show the box office success. The passion of the fans, modern stadiums, and the largest number of participating teams generated a spectacular start.
Tuesday, June 16, was recorded as a historic day: 281,223 people attended the four group stage matches, surpassing the previous record held by the 1994 World Cup in the United States with 277,070 spectators in a single day.
This figure is not isolated. In the first complete matchdays, over 1.5 million fans with paid tickets filled the stands in the 16 host cities. The average exceeds 65,000 spectators per match, a figure that speaks to the enormous interest the tournament has generated from the outset.
The most impressive stadiums
Among the venues that shone with full houses were the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which welcomed 80,824 people, and the New York New Jersey Stadium, with 80,663 attendees. Both stadiums showcased the drawing power of this World Cup.
The combination of top-notch infrastructure and the geographical proximity between the three host countries made it easier for thousands of fans to travel and join the celebration. Tickets sold at a rapid pace, and the atmosphere in the stadiums was one of pure excitement.
