The 2026 World Cup made history Tuesday as a combined 281,223 fans attended four matches, breaking the single-day tournament attendance record that had stood for 32 years. The previous mark of 277,070 was set in 1994, the last time the tournament was hosted primarily in the United States.
Group-stage action saw hosts Germany face Côte d'Ivoire in Toronto, while Lionel Messi and Argentina took the pitch amid a VAR controversy over a potential red card. The Netherlands played Sweden in Houston, and England opened its campaign against Croatia with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the spotlight as he seeks to become Everton's second World Cup winner.
The record crowd underscores the soaring demand for live tickets in North America, where the tournament expanded to 48 teams. It also reflects the massive scale of venues like NRG Stadium and the Toronto venue, which together with the day's other sites pushed total attendance past the 1994 benchmark in a single day.
Five group matches are scheduled for Wednesday, with potential for another record if crowds hold. The tournament continues through July 19, with knockout rounds in major U.S. and Canadian stadiums.
"It shows the world's love for football," a FIFA spokesperson said, though the governing body has faced criticism for high ticket prices that have priced out some local fans.