North America's soccer fan base has grown 10.9% over the past five years, reaching over 136 million people as excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico [1, 2]. The United States alone is home to 62.5 million soccer followers, making it the fourth-largest soccer market globally [1, 2].
Mexico leads the region with the strongest soccer engagement at 63%, while soccer ranks third in Canada and fourth in the United States by sports engagement [1, 2]. Fans in the US skew younger and more affluent, with 76% belonging to Millennial and Gen Z demographics. Female engagement with soccer in the US is notably higher than in Europe [1, 2].
Viewership has surged significantly in recent years. Lionel Messi’s 2023 debut for Inter Miami CF in the Leagues Cup drove a 173% increase in linear viewership compared to the tournament average [1, 2]. The following year, the MLS Cup saw a 97% jump in viewership after Inter Miami’s victory [1, 2]. Nearly seven in 10 fans said their interest in soccer increased over the last three years, and almost a quarter of fans began following the sport in the past five years [1, 2].
Across North America, 72% of soccer fans watch matches on television or via streamed content, with social media serving as a key secondary platform [1, 2]. About 64% of respondents expect their interest in soccer to grow further [1, 2].
A FIFA spokesperson noted, "Nielsen’s new report illustrates the profound and measurable surge in popularity of soccer in North America, reinforcing the decision to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 across the continent" [1].
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on November 16, 2026, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico [1, 2]. The tournament will mark a major milestone as North America continues to expand its soccer fan base and viewership.