Watching Soccer Beyond Language: Why Fans Love Telemundo

Many Americans are tuning in to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Traditionally, they would have found themselves watching the matches on American broadcasting channels. However, an interesting new trend has emerged this year.

Many fans are choosing to watch the tournament on Telemundo instead, even if they don't speak Spanish. This is because Telemundo has created an experience that feels authentic, emotional, and as a whole is deeply connected to the culture behind soccer.

While most traditional American sports broadcasts focus on analysis and statistics, Telemundo places greater emphasis on passion behind this popular sport by utilizing a dramatic commentary style.

This has helped the network achieve record-breaking views and attract an audience from outside its typical Spanish-speaking one. Telemundo's approach showcases that an emotional connection can outweigh any language barrier when it comes to watching soccer.

Telemundo Understands the Emotions Behind Soccer

Telemundo's success stems from its understanding of what soccer means to fans. For many families, especially those across Latin America, soccer is not just a sport. It is a family tradition, a cultural experience, and a source of pride. During the World Cup, their daily lives revolve around the tournament.

People leave work early, schools adjust their schedules, and neighborhoods come together to support their national team. These traditions have been passed down for generations, and because of this deep cultural connection, fans are able to quickly recognize when a company understands and embraces the culture and when it does not.

One of the best examples of this is commentator Andrés Cantor. Even those who do not speak Spanish can recognize his iconic goal calls. His excitement has become a defining moment for many new and existing fans, and many have posted that they now look forward to his commentary and analysis of soccer games.

Similar to the excitement found in the Premier League, Champions League, and other major soccer leagues around the world, Cantor's commentary captures the emotion that makes fans fall in love with the sport.

This emotional depth creates a strong connection between viewers and the game. Fans are able to feel the tension before a penalty kick and the suspense of watching your team try to score in the 89th minute. Even without understanding the language, viewers can understand the emotions being conveyed in this beautiful game.

Telemundo's coverage has chosen to focus on capturing the true essence of the game. During matches, the network has decided not to cut away for commercials during the hydration breaks. Instead viewers are able to see important moments such as player reactions, coaching decisions, and emotions unfolding in the stadium and on the pitch in real time.

This is different from many traditional American sports broadcasts, which often rely on heavy commercial breaks and analysis segments. Telemundo is able to perfectly balance the two to create an environment that is high quality and immersive.

Building a World Cup Ecosystem

Telemundo's success is not only limited to what is broadcasted during a match. The network has also built a complete World Cup ecosystem that allows fans to engage with the tournament across multiple platforms.

Unlike previous generations, today's audience has a different way of consuming sports. Whether they follow Major League Soccer (MLS), European clubs, or their national teams, fans expect content to be available across a variety of platforms.

They are no longer limited to sitting by the TV at home. Instead, they are on social media, checking highlights, discussing the game, and following their favorite influencers simultaneously.

Telemundo has recognized this shift and decided to meet fans where they are. Before, during, and after the matches, fans can interact with content across familiar platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and X. This creates a sense of community, allowing viewers to engage in conversations about the tournament in real time.

The network has chosen to invest in digital experiences through Peacock and other streaming platforms, creating interactive match hubs, second-screen experiences, and additional content to give viewers various ways to engage with the tournament. They also worked with celebrities and influencers to bridge the gap between their Spanish-speaking and bilingual audiences.

This directly reflects how sports are consumed in media today. Many watch will watch a soccer game while also using their mobile devices. Telemundo's ecosystem allows fans to remain connected to the tournament all day and not just during matches.

Copa Mundial After Dark is one of the newest editions to their ecosystem that recaps the biggest plays and discusses viral moments and debates. This 30 minute segment happened after each day of the tournament and utilized well known influencers to keep Gen Z audiences engaged.

Unexpected Audience Growth

Potentially the most surprising outcome of Telemundo's strategy was the audience that it attracted.

The network experienced immense growth during the 2026 World Cup. According to a report from Forbes, several matches have delivered record-breaking numbers. The Mexico versus South Africa match drew 13.4 million viewers across Telemundo, Peacock, and other digital platforms.

This represents a dramatic increase in comparison to previous tournaments. This growth goes beyond a singular match, as these historic numbers were seen across the group-stage matches.

Telemundo saw an increase of 242% in viewership between the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. The network also saw a 156% increase in Team USA's opening match making it the most watched group stage match not featuring Mexico in the network's history. These statistics highlight that viewers from various countries are tuning in and exceeding Telemundo's expectations.

Authenticity Over Language

What makes these numbers even more impressive is who's actually watching.

According to Telemundo executives, a significant portion of their audience consists of bilingual and English-speaking viewers. Many viewers have admitted that while they do not speak Spanish, they prefer watching soccer on Telemundo because it feels more exciting and genuine.

This trend showcases a shift in consumer behavior. Fans are not choosing broadcasts based solely on language. Instead, they are choosing the ones that feel most engaging.

For many, watching soccer on Telemundo creates more energy and excitement than traditional English-language broadcasts.

The success of the network highlights that watching soccer is not just about understanding the commentary. It is about feeling connected to the game, and for many fans, that matters more than the language being spoken.

What Fox and Other American Broadcasters Can Learn

Telemundo's success is something American broadcasting channels like Fox can learn from.

For many years, sports broadcasters in the United States have emphasized analysis, statistics, and structured commentary. While those elements are important to the game, fans today are looking for experiences that allow them to immerse themselves.

Where Telemundo stands out is its commitment to maintaining the atmosphere of the game. By keeping interruptions to a minimum, viewers are able to stay connected to the action and experience the natural flow of the game.

This, however, does not mean that American broadcasters need to completely change their approach. It does, however, highlight that there is room to expand upon their storytelling and emotional engagement.

Soccer is a global sport with a unique culture, and watching soccer has become about much more than simply following the score. Fans value passion just as much as expertise. This is especially true for newer fans who may not know every rule, player, position, or formations but still want to enjoy the experience.

As the sport continues to grow here in the United States, broadcasters may need to adapt their strategies and styles to meet their audience's expectations.

Telemundo's growth demonstrates that viewers are looking for experiences that feel genuine and immersive. Understanding the language doesn't matter to them if they are able to capture the emotions and traditions that make the sport special.

🪽 Written by Brennda Melo