{"id":308743,"date":"2026-06-02T09:51:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T13:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=short-read&p=308743"},"modified":"2026-06-10T12:57:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:57:07","slug":"who-do-americans-think-is-going-to-win-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/06\/02\/who-do-americans-think-is-going-to-win-the-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Who do Americans think is going to win the World Cup?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Argentina's
Argentina’s Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy following his team’s victory against France in the final match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup on Dec. 18, 2022. (Franck Fife\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before the men\u2019s soccer World Cup<\/a> kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada, we asked 3,507 Americans how likely they are to follow the competition and who they think will win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, most Americans (66%) say they are not too or not at all likely to follow the competition. However, 28% say they are at least somewhat likely to follow it, including 14% who say they are very or extremely likely to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We fielded this survey in March, nearly three months before the tournament begins, so interest in the World Cup might look different closer to the tournament. But these results are broadly consistent with a 2023 Pew Research Center survey<\/a> that found that many Americans don\u2019t follow sports closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About this research<\/summary>\n

This Pew Research Center analysis explores Americans\u2019 interest in the men\u2019s soccer World Cup and who they expect to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Center does high-quality research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers. Studying views of the upcoming World Cup fits with our long-standing research on Americans\u2019 preferences when it comes to entertainment<\/a> and leisure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 3,507 adults from March 23 to 29, 2026. Everyone who took part is a member of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel<\/a>. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are our survey questions<\/a>, the detailed responses<\/a> and our survey methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terminology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The term immigrants<\/strong> refers to respondents born outside the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico. When the data is available, this group also includes people born outside these places to parents born outside these places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term U.S. born<\/strong> refers to respondents born in the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico. When the data is available, this group also includes those born elsewhere to at least one parent who was born in the 50 U.S. states, D.C. or Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Who do Americans predict will win the World Cup?<\/h4>\n\n\n
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Spain, Brazil and Argentina are among top World Cup winner predictions<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Among U.S. adults who say they are somewhat\/very\/extremely<\/strong> likely to follow the World Cup, % who say they think __ will win the 2026 World Cup<\/em><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n
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Note: Open-ended question. Teams mentioned in fewer than 2% of responses are not shown.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted March 23-29, 2026.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Share this chart<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t