2026 FIFA World Cup attracts millions of German viewers as boycott campaign rises

German television data showed that the Portugal‑Spain group‑stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup drew 9.72 million viewers, representing a 43.5 % market share and 56.1 % among younger audiences, indicating strong public interest and no sign of a widespread boycott in Germany.

At the same time, the activist group Fairness United, together with fan organisations and trade unions, launched the "Love Football, Hate Fascism" campaign urging a boycott of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada over human‑rights concerns, including racism, sexism and queer‑phobia.