The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to shatter viewership records, with Sunday's Mexico-England match drawing an average of 44.84 million viewers on Fox, Peacock, and Telemundo — a figure that rivals NFL conference championship games. Preliminary numbers for the United States-Belgium contest also showed strong audiences, with final figures expected to climb further. The tournament enters its quarterfinal stage Thursday as France faces Morocco at Boston Stadium in Foxborough.
While the broadcast numbers dominate headlines, the tournament has also been marked by disciplinary action. England defender Jarell Quansah will miss Saturday's quarterfinal against Norway, plus a potential semifinal, after FIFA handed him a two-game ban for a straight red card received via VAR review against Mexico. England also deals with an injury to captain Reece James, who has missed three matches with a hamstring issue and remains the squad's only natural right-back.
Off the pitch, the World Cup has been widely praised as a success, with organizers pointing to strong attendance and global engagement. The quarterfinal field features a mix of traditional powers and surprise contenders, adding to the narrative that the expanded 48-team format has deepened competition rather than diluted quality.
What's next: France enters Thursday's clash as the favorite, while England must reshuffle its backline against Norway without Quansah. The semifinals are set to begin next week, with the championship match scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
"It's a blow to lose Jarell at this stage, but we have depth in the squad," England manager Thomas Tuchel said, according to Yahoo Sports. The team will rely on its midfield to control possession against a disciplined Norwegian side.