USMNT vs Australia Draws Big Numbers Across Fox and Telemundo

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) and Australia (Socceroos) served up more than just an entertaining fixture this past week—they also delivered strong viewership figures across both Fox and Telemundo, as reported by Awful Announcing. The friendly, part of the USMNT's pre-World Cup schedule, attracted a significant audience that underscores the growing appetite for the team's journey toward the 2026 tournament.

The ratings story

According to the report, the match registered robust numbers on both English-language Fox and Spanish-language Telemundo. While exact figures weren't provided in the brief, the dual-network strong performance indicates that fans tuned in across multiple platforms. This kind of cross-demographic reach is exactly what U.S. Soccer hopes to see as the national team builds momentum under head coach Gregg Berhalter. The friendly against Australia came amid a busy international window, with the USMNT also facing Germany in another high-profile test.

Why this matters

Strong viewership for a friendly—especially one that doesn't carry the weight of a knockout tournament or competitive qualifier—shows that the USMNT has captured the public's imagination. Since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the team reached the Round of 16, interest has remained high. Matches against quality opponents like Australia, who also impressed at the last World Cup, provide meaningful preparation and keep the team top of mind. The dual-network audience also highlights the value of reaching both English and Spanish-speaking fans, a key demographic for U.S. Soccer.

What it means going forward

As the USMNT gears up for co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, every friendly becomes a chance to grow the fanbase and test tactics against varied styles. The Australia match's viewership suggests that even non-marquee friendlies can draw impressive numbers when the team is competitive and the opponent is respected. If this trend continues, U.S. Soccer can expect strong interest in future fixtures, including the 2024 Copa América and beyond. For now, the numbers signal that the USMNT is on the right track, both on the pitch and in the ratings race.