World Cup 2026 Breaks Attendance Record
US - World Cup 2026 draws over 3.6 million fans despite only half of matches played.
FIFA announced during Germany 1-2 loss to Ecuador in final round of Group E. MetLife Stadium screen displayed record 3,605,357 - amid loud applause from crowd in match 56.
Previous record belonged to World Cup 1994 in US, with 3,587,538 fans after 52 matches.
Screen displays record attendance at World Cup 2026, shown during Germany 1-2 loss to Ecuador in final round of Group E at MetLife Stadium in US on June 25, 2026. Photo: AP
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Current tournament has 48 matches left. Total attendance projected to double old record. Stadium occupancy rate currently 99%, near 100% in knockout stage.
Previously, high ticket prices and travel restrictions, especially in US for some countries, kept many from attending. However, local fans filled seats. "Americans always want to be there for key moments," sports economist Dan Rascher of University of San Francisco told Reuters.
World Cup 2026 also set single-day attendance record, with 384,206 people attending 6 matches on June 24.
Estadio Azteca in Mexico has largest capacity this tournament, with 80,824 seats. According to FIFA, venue sold out three times: Mexico 2-0 South Africa, Mexico 3-0 Czech Republic, and Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan.
Top 5 World Cups with highest attendance****World Cup Country Matches Attendance Average2026 US, Canada, Mexico 56/104 3,605,357 64,3811994 US 52 3,587,538 68,9912014 Brazil 64 3,429,873 53,5922006 Germany 64 3,359,439 52,4912018 Russia 64 3,031,768 47,371
Besides match count, US stadiums have larger capacities than past World Cup hosts. At Qatar 2022, Lusail Stadium capacity was 88,000 and drew 88,966 fans for final, but 6 of 8 other stadiums only held 40,000.
Only 2 of 16 stadiums this tournament hold around 40,000: BMO Field in Canada and Estadio Akron in Mexico. Meanwhile, two stadiums hold 50,000, three hold 65,000, five hold 68,000, two hold 70,000, and two hold 80,000.
**Top 5 matches with highest attendance in World Cup *(according to Guinness)***World Cup Country Match Attendance1950 Brazil Uruguay - Brazil 173,8501950 Brazil Brazil - Spain 152,7721950 Brazil Brazil - Soviet Union 142,4291950 Brazil Brazil - Sweden 138,8751986 Mexico Argentina - West Germany 114,600 Schedule - Results World Cup 2026
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Group L
[Croatia
17 : 00
Ghana
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489420/croatia-ghana)
[Prediction](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489420/croatia-ghana)
Group L
[Panama
17 : 00
England
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489422/panama-anh)
[Prediction](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489422/panama-anh)
Group K
[Colombia
19 : 30
Portugal
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489419/colombia-bo-dao-nha)
[Prediction](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489419/colombia-bo-dao-nha)
Group K
[DR Congo
19 : 30
Uzbekistan
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1539013/chdc-congo-uzbekistan)
[Prediction](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1539013/chdc-congo-uzbekistan)
Group J
[Algeria
22 : 00
Austria
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489418/algeria-ao)
[Prediction](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489418/algeria-ao)
Group J
[Jordan
22 : 00
Argentina
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489421/jordan-argentina)
[Prediction](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489421/jordan-argentina)
Monday, June 29, 2026
Round of 32
[South Africa
15 : 00
Canada
](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1561329/nam-phi-canada)
[Prediction](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1561329/nam-phi-canada)
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Round of 32
[Japan
13 : 00
Brazil
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Germany
16 : 30
3rd A/B/C/D/F
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Netherlands
21 : 00
Morocco
](javascript:;)
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Round of 32
[Ivory Coast
13 : 00
Runner-up I
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Winner I
17 : 00
3rd C/D/F/G/H
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Mexico
21 : 00
3rd C/E/F/H/I
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Winner L
12 : 00
3rd E/H/I/J/K
](javascript:;)
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Round of 32
[Winner G
16 : 00
3rd A/E/H/I/J
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[USA
20 : 00
3rd B/E/F/I/J
](javascript:;)
Friday, July 3, 2026
Round of 32
[Winner H
15 : 00
Runner-up J
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Runner-up K
19 : 00
Runner-up L
](javascript:;)
Round of 32
[Switzerland
23 : 00
3rd E/F/G/I/J
](javascript:;)
Winning team Best player Top scorer
Remaining prediction time: 19 days
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