Lionel Messi and Scotland fans smash all-time World Cup record as USA makes mockery of doubters
There is one big reason that the United States is already considering becoming a host for the 2038 World Cup.
The ongoing 2026 World Cup has been a massive hit and is setting all-time records before the knockout matches are played.
A crowd of 70,492 packed Los Angeles Stadium to watch USMNT fall 3-2 to Turkiye on Thursday night, in a match that saw USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino defend a squad that was ultimately preparing for a Round of 32 game.
“I think is very positive to finish in the way that we finish,” Pochettino said.
But that crowd of 70,000-plus was just one piece of a massive puzzle that has already allowed FIFA to set a World Cup all-time attendance record.
A total of 3,605,357 fans have watched the 2026 World Cup in person through Thursday’s games.
That amount breaks a 32-year-old record, when 3,587,538 fans witnessed the 1994 World Cup.
That sport-changing World Cup was the first in the USA and led to the creation of Major League Soccer, which now features Argentina superstar Lionel Messi playing for David Beckham‘s Inter Miami team on the professional side.
“For us as players in 1994, we were on every show — Good Morning America. We became current and, for a little while, that was fun,” Tab Ramos, a starting midfielder on the 1994 United States Men’s National Team, exclusively told talkSPORT.
“I think what’s going to happen this summer will be unprecedented in this country, in terms of the attention that football, soccer, will get for the first time.”
Ramos was spot on — and ahead of the curve.
Every knockout game remains in the 2026 World Cup, while only 44 of the 104 matches have been played in the biggest sports tournament in history.
Despite controversies surrounding high ticket prices, travel issues and hydration breaks, FIFA linking the USA with Mexico and Canada in the summer of 2026 has packed stadiums across North America.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland aiming for the Golden Boot has also contributed to a thrilling start ready made for daily social media highlights.
All 11 American host cities are using NFL stadiums for the World Cup, which has posted a 99.7 percent occupancy rate.
The record-breaking 2026 World Cup has led Andrew Giuliani to already discuss with US President Donald Trump whether the USA should attempt to host the 2038 World Cup.
Six countries will be involved with the 2030 World Cup, while Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 global tournament.
“When you think that this World Cup may at some point expand out to 64 teams, I think the United States can handle it,” said Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s Task Force for the World Cup.
Coming to America
How the 1994 World Cup changed soccer in USA – from tourists in Italy to better than England and MLS
Ranking the World Cup venues – from New York to Los Angeles, a string of spectacular venues will play host to the 2026 World Cup
The $9bn pitch built for Ronaldo’s last World Cup – ‘Forever’ grass, artificial sunlight and closed roof
June 16 was a breakthrough day for the 2026 World Cup, as a total of 281,223 fans attended four matches (France vs Senegal, Irag vs Norway, Argentina vs Algeria, and Austria vs Jordan).
But the final attendance from 2026 will shatter the previous 1994 record mark, since the majority of the World Cup — highlighted by the must-watch knockout matches — is still to be played.
In the USA, the NFL’s Jets, Giants, Eagles, Patriots, Falcons, Dolphins, Chiefs, Texans, Cowboys, 49ers, Seahawks, Rams and Chargers have seen their stadiums packed with global football fans.
Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara were chosen by FIFA to host 2026 World Cup matches in Mexico.
Toronto and Vancouver represented Canada in an expanded tournament that features 48 teams playing from June 11 until July 19.
The 2026 World Cup final will be held at New York New Jersey Stadium.
US President Trump is expected to be part of the championship trophy presentation.
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