2026 FIFA World Cup: One in two Americans ready to watch the tournament

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in full swing, and despite the debatable popularity of real soccer in the United States, one of the host regions along with Mexico and Canada, Americans are going to do more than just watch it. According to a survey conducted last May among more than 2,000 Americans by the Harris Institute, half of Americans intend to watch at least one match on TV, streaming, or social media during the 2026 World Cup, currently being hosted by the three host countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The host country effect: soccer is finally gaining ground. Furthermore, more than a quarter of respondents say they have recently become interested in the sport simply because of the competition. In addition, 52% of Americans say they are more likely to follow unfamiliar sports because the competition is taking place on their own soil. Interesting, considering that football, or "soccer" as it's called there, is far from being a popular sport in North America. Jennifer Musil, Global Head of Research at Harris Poll, has the floor: "The 2026 World Cup is doing something our data rarely captures in real time: it's turning passive observers into active fans," said Jennifer Musil, Global Head of Research at Harris Poll. "More than one in four Americans say they've recently become interested in football thanks to this tournament. This isn't just about sports; it's a signal illustrating the ability of major cultural events to change consumer behavior." Now it's your turn on AVpronos! Why not literally participate in the competition by registering for the free World Cup prediction contest currently offered by AVcesar?