FIFA World Cup 2026 ratings: semi-finals draw millions on SBS – SBS says millions of Australian football fans rose before dawn to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals this week.
The broadcaster reported a VOZ Total TV reach of 3.39 million for Argentina’s 2-1 win over England on Thursday 16 July. The match delivered a Total TV average audience of 1.87 million.
SBS said the result made Argentina v England the seventh biggest reach of the tournament so far. More than 64 per cent of viewers watched the match on SBS On Demand.
Spain v France also tops the day
The first semi-final also delivered a large early morning audience. Spain’s 2-0 win over France on Wednesday 15 July reached 2.37 million viewers and recorded an average audience of 1.26 million.
According to SBS, the match also topped the daily VOZ rankings. Across the tournament, 15 matches have now reached more than two million viewers, including three matches that have topped four million.
Tournament reach passes 17.4 million
SBS said more than 60 per cent of Australians have now watched the FIFA World Cup 2026, with cumulative reach topping 17.4 million across the tournament.
The broadcaster said the figures show the continued appetite for the FIFA World Cup in Australia, even after the Socceroos’ campaign came to an end.
Final matches ahead
The tournament now moves into its final weekend. France will face England in the third-place play-off on Sunday 19 July at 7am AEST.
Spain and Argentina will then meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Monday 20 July at 5am AEST.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand in Australia until Monday 20 July.
For more sport on TV news, visit TV Central’s Sport section. Viewers can find FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast information through SBS Sport.
