This past Friday, Australian viewership soared to record levels as millions tuned in to watch the Socceroos in their biggest FIFA World Cup 2026 game so far.
Nearly five million people in Australia watched the match, making it the most-viewed World Cup game ever broadcast on SBS, according to Virtual Australia (VOZ) national ratings.
Excited fans gathered at pubs and viewing sites nationwide at midday, skipping commitments to cheer on the Socceroos as they secured a spot in the tournament’s knockout stage with a draw against Paraguay.
Following a tough defeat to the USA in their second group match last week, Australia needed at least a tie with Paraguay to advance to the Round of 32.
The young Socceroos squad delivered just what was needed.
A total of 4.844 million viewers and a total TV average audience of 3.086 million across linear television and digital streaming watched the Australia v Paraguay match.
It is the second most-watched broadcast in SBS history, behind the Socceroos’ World Cup play-off victory against Uruguay in 2006 (3.416 million, national average audience).
The Paraguay-Australia post-match program attracted 2.872 million viewers, and the pre-match program attracted 2.277 million viewers.
Between live matches and pre- and post-match shows, SBS had the top three programs of the day and five of the top ten.
SBS’ World Cup broadcast dominated Friday’s free-to-air ratings.
Cumulatively, 13.9 million Australians, or about half the population, have watched some of the matches in the FIFA World Cup tournament.
The Socceroos’ next game is at 4am Saturday, 4 July (AEST) in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, when they will face Egypt.