Spain's win over Belgium shatters TV viewership records ahead of World Cup semifinal vs France

Spain defeated Belgium 2‑1 in the World Cup 2026 quarter‑final, a match that became one of the most watched television events in the tournament. Across Spain’s four broadcast channels (La 1, La 2, Teledeporte and DAZN) the game attracted an average audience of 11.45 million viewers and a 76.5 % share. The total number of unique viewers was 15.93 million, with the peak moment at 22:51 CET drawing 11.67 million people on La 1. The public service channel La 1 led the numbers, averaging 10.095 million viewers and reaching 84 % of children watching, while younger adults (25‑44) recorded a 77.7 % share.

In Germany, ZDF reported 8.58 million viewers (49 % market share) for the same match, confirming the broad cross‑border appeal of Spain’s performance. The strong ratings underscore the tournament’s ability to dominate live‑sport viewership despite competition from streaming platforms.

Following the quarter‑final triumph, Spain now prepares for a semi‑final showdown with France. France’s coach Didier Deschamps confirmed the fitness of key players such as Kylian Mbappé, while midfield options Aurelien Tchouaméni and Manu Kone remain under observation. Power‑ranking analysts place both France and Spain at the top of the tournament’s leaderboard as the two sides meet in Dallas on 14 July.