World Cup 2026 fuels surge in football‑related online searches

Data from the Cốc Cốc browser shows that the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup triggered a massive rise in football‑related searches. Overall keyword searches containing “World Cup” jumped 1,550% compared with the month before, while broader football terms rose 480%. Within the sport‑specific category, queries about league tables, match‑ups and schedules led the traffic, with “World Cup 2026 schedule” being the most searched term. The platform’s football‑search feature recorded a 531% increase in engagement.

Lionel Messi was the most‑searched player, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and rising star Lamine Yamal. In Vietnam, viewership platforms saw sharp growth: VTVgo’s daily visits rose 812%, TV360 up 126% and FPT Play 88%, reflecting heightened demand to follow the tournament live.

The tournament’s on‑field action also dominated headlines, with notable moments such as Erling Haaland’s decisive goal for Norway, Brazil’s comeback win over Japan, and widespread celebrations in Paraguay after defeating Germany. These events contributed to the heightened online interest worldwide.