FIFA World Cup 2026 shatters attendance record in North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has broken a 32‑year‑old attendance record. With 3,605,357 spectators having attended matches so far, the tournament surpassed the 1994 record of 3,568,567 fans. The milestone was announced during the Germany‑Ecuador game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Average stadium occupancy is above 99 percent, aided by the expanded format that now features 48 teams and 104 matches, compared with 32 teams and 64 matches in previous editions. With 48 matches still to be played, the total attendance could nearly double the current figure.

The larger scale also yielded a new goals record, with 177 goals scored early in the competition, highlighting the tournament’s high‑scoring nature alongside its record‑breaking crowds.