The FIFA 2026 World Cup has become the most-attended tournament in football history after surpassing the five million spectator mark during France’s 3-0 Round of 32 victory over Sweden, FIFA announced.
According to FIFA, total attendance has reached 5,048,079 spectators, eclipsing the previous record of 3,587,538 set at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
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The milestone was achieved at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where 80,663 fans watched France comfortably defeat Sweden to book their place in the Round of 16.
The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has attracted supporters from 210 countries and territories, underlining its global appeal.
FIFA also revealed that the tournament recorded the highest single-day attendance in World Cup history on 25 June, when 426,834 spectators attended matches across the three host nations.
Excluding Tuesday’s fixtures, the tournament has averaged 64,511 fans per match, with stadiums operating at an impressive 99.7% capacity, despite concerns over ticket prices before the competition began.
The previous attendance record was established during the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, which featured 24 teams. The expanded format of the 2026 edition, with 48 participating nations and 104 matches, has significantly boosted overall attendance.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes the tournament could become the first World Cup to attract seven million spectators, with 27 matches remaining.
With record-breaking crowds, near-capacity stadiums and unprecedented global interest, the 2026 World Cup continues to set new benchmarks both on and off the pitch as it heads into the knockout stages.
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