Attracting a record average audience of 5.3 million viewers across Bell Media’s TSN, RDS, CTV, Noovo and Crave, Canada Soccer’s men’s national team’s first-ever FIFA World Cup victory last Thursday evening is the most-watched World Cup group stage match on record in Canada, according to preliminary data from Numeris cited by Bell Media.
In total, 11.7 million unique Canadian viewers tuned in for some part of the historic match — which started at 3 p.m. local time in Vancouver — a viewership increase of 34 per cent compared to Canada’s second match at the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar, according to a Bell Media press release on Friday. The record-breaking match saw Canadian audiences peak with 7.3 million viewers at 5:01 p.m. PT as Canada secured the win. In addition, streaming audiences more than doubled compared to Canada’s second match in 2022, Bell Media said.
Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar last Thursday now ranks as the most-watched FIFA World Cup match in Canada since the 2014 final, according to Bell Media. (That 2014 final was played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — also in a favourable time zone for Canadian audiences — and featured Germany defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.)
Bell Media’s Friday press release said a total of 21 million unique Canadian viewers had tuned in to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage so far on TSN, RDS, CTV, Noovo and Crave.
Among the other audience highlights from June 11-18, according to Bell Media, Canadians have consumed more than 92 million hours of FIFA World Cup 2026 live matches, an increase of 54 per cent compared to the same point of the 2022 tournament. Furthermore, non-Canada matches have attracted an average audience of 1.2 million viewers, also representing an increase of 54 per cent compared to the same point in the 2022 tournament, Bell Media said.
TSN social media accounts saw major increases for FIFA World Cup 2026 content on June 18, including 17 million video views and 32 million impressions, according to Bell Media, which added that there were more than one million views for Canada-Qatar match content on YouTube.
“The record audiences and unprecedented engagement throughout FIFA World Cup 2026 demonstrate the powerful connection Canadians have with both the global game and Canada’s Men’s National Team,” Shawn Redmond, vice president of Bell Media Sports, said in the media company’s press release. “Across broadcast, streaming, digital, and social platforms, fans have come together in extraordinary numbers to follow this historic tournament and support this team on the world stage. These results reflect a landmark moment for soccer in Canada and the passion fans have shown every step of the way.”
TSN and RDS are the exclusive home of FIFA World Cup 2026 throughout the tournament including the final on Sunday, July 19, with select matches also available on CTV, Noovo and Crave.
The Canadian men’s national team next faces Switzerland on Wednesday, June 24 at BC Place Vancouver at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET, with the match available across TSN, RDS, CTV, Noovo and Crave.
Image showing Canadian striker Jonathan David celebrating one of his three goals against Qatar on June 18, courtesy of Bell Media
