There is certainly some sadness across Fox and Telemundo following this week’s abrupt exits of the U.S. and Mexican teams from the FIFA men’s World Cup. Both networks, however, have already reaped many of the rewards from the 2026 tournament’s sharply elevated trajectory and remain in strong shape heading into the event’s final days.
The U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup run came to an ugly end Monday night with a convincing 4–1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16. That followed the Mexican team’s loss to England in the same round Sunday, and took away Fox’s and Telemundo’s two biggest viewership draws. The U.S. loss, in particular, prompted an unusual plea to viewers from Fox announcer John Strong to not abandon the rest of the World Cup or soccer in general.
“This doesn’t have to be the last soccer you watch for the next four years,” Strong said.
Even if that were to happen, Fox and Telemundo have already banked much of the upside from a 2026 World Cup that has seen unprecedented viewership in the group stage, and then a record-setting match in the round of 32.
Among the key factors:
