3.6 million soccer fans have attended this year’s World Cup matches, setting new record

World Cup3.6 million soccer fans have attended this year’s World Cup matches, setting new recordWith weeks left to go in the tournament, that record likely won’t last long. Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00New York New Jersey Stadium was packed for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J. earlier this month. Justin Setterfield / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 25, 2026, 8:17 PM EDTBy Doha MadaniAttendance for this summer’s World Cup has already surpassed the record high of 3,587,538 set by the 1994 World Cup, which was hosted in the United States, according to FIFA. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscriptionGet exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.As of Thursday, 3.6 million people have gathered in the first two weeks since this year’s elongated tournament began across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, the federation said. After the two simultaneous matches of Germany vs. Ecuador and Ivory Coast vs. Curaçao, the new record was set at 3,605,357. That number will only grow till the tournament’s July 19 conclusion in New Jersey. FIFA recognized the record-breaking fan on the pitch during the hydration break Thursday in the Germany vs. Ecuador match with 2014 World Cup champion Sami Khedira. The tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams, which added games in the group stage, is likely one reason the record was surpassed so quickly. This year will also feature an extra knockout round. U.S. stadiums also have a larger capacity than most of the prior World Cup host venues. The majority of the stadiums in the most recent tournament, which was hosted by Qatar, had a maximum capacity of around 45,000 people, according to FIFA. The largest two venues were Al Bayt Stadium at 68,895 people, and Lusail Stadium with a capacity of 88,966 people. Fans cheering during the Group E match between Germany and Curacao at Houston Stadium in Texas earlier this month.Sebastian Widmann / FIFA vi...