Rewritten Content:
This marked a record viewership for FOX during a FIFA World Cup event. On Friday, “The Final Draw” aired on FOX, attracting 1.23 million viewers, making it the highest-rated Final Draw in the history of U.S. English-language television.
This average of 1.23 million represented a remarkable 242% increase from the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final Draw, which garnered only 360,000 viewers on FS1 in April 2022. The broadcast hit its highest viewership during a peak window between 1:45 PM and 2:00 PM ET, where it reached 1,358,000 viewers.
The pre-show attracted 913,000 viewers, reflecting an impressive 813% rise compared to the previous year’s pre-show on FS1. Meanwhile, the post-show garnered 710,000 viewers, up 473% from 2022’s post-show.
During the final draw, all 48 teams set to compete in next summer’s FIFA World Cup were assigned to their respective groups. The United States, one of the three host nations, found itself in Group D along with Paraguay, Australia, and additional teams yet to be determined.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be broadcast on FOX beginning June 11, 2026.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it illustrates a growing interest in the World Cup, which can lead to greater support for the sport in the U.S. The record viewership shows potential for a boom in soccer culture and engagement as the event approaches.
