The FIFA World Cup opening match remains one of the most watched sporting events on the planet, attracting audiences that surpass even those of the celebrated Super Bowl.
Widely cited estimates indicate that the opening game of the World Cup 2026 drew more than one billion viewers worldwide, significantly higher than the Super Bowl's global audience of about 600 million.
The disparity highlights football's unmatched global appeal, while the Super Bowl dominates television ratings in the United States, the FIFA World Cup captures the attention of fans across Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East, making it a truly worldwide spectacle.
Part of the attraction lies in the elaborate opening ceremony that precedes the first match. FIFA has long blended sport, music and culture to create a global showcase watched by billions.
Over the years, World Cup ceremonies have featured performances by internationally acclaimed artists including Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Jungkook of BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi.
Shakira, in particular, has become closely associated with the tournament following the success of her 2010 anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), one of the most recognisable World Cup songs ever produced.
Beyond the football itself, opening ceremonies have evolved into major entertainment events, often rivalling the Super Bowl halftime show in scale and star power. They provide host nations with an opportunity to showcase their culture while giving global artists a platform to perform before one of the largest television audiences in history.
With every edition, the World Cup opener continues to demonstrate football's unparalleled reach.
The combination of sport, music, culture and national pride transforms the opening match into more than just a game it becomes a global celebration that consistently attracts audiences far larger than those of most other sporting events, including the Super Bowl