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During the Spain match
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has revealed that the 2026 World Cup group stage match between Saudi Arabia and Spain set an all-time viewership record in the Middle East and North Africa region as it was watched by 65 million viewers on the beIN Sports network, the highest percentage of viewers the region has seen for a single match in world history.
FIFA explained that the match, which ended with a 4-0 win for Spain and their place in the round of 32 against Saudi Arabia in a bye to the tournament, had witnessed an unprecedented public participation in the Arab region, in preparation for a detailed report after the end of the World Cup.
In Argentina, FIFA found that 9 out of 10 viewers watched the team’s second match in the group stage, a clear indication of the Argentine public’s passion for following their country’s national team, the reigning champions.
In terms of digital platforms, at the end of the group stage, the Brazil-Scotland match set a new world record for views on the YouTube platform, as the number of devices simultaneously connected via Brazilian station CazéTV reached 18.3 million, the highest number ever recorded live on the platform in its history.
These record numbers confirm the exceptional global interest in the 2026 World Cup, with unprecedented fan following across a variety of traditional and digital platforms, given the fierce competition between the major teams and the surprises the tournament offers.
A detailed report released by FIFA after the tournament is expected to reveal more viewing records, especially as the decisive knockout rounds, which usually witness the peak of global fandom, approach.
