FIFA World Cup 2026: A Global Spectacle Ignites Indian Fandom Despite Distance and Disruption Concerns
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 extravaganza unfolds from June 11 to July 19, anticipation is reaching fever pitch across the globe. For the first time in FIFA history, the tournament is being co-hosted by three nations of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and setting the stage for an unprecedented celebration of football. With 48 teams competing across a packed schedule of 104 matches, the event promises scale, diversity, and drama like never before.
Even in a non-competing market like India, enthusiasm is strikingly high. According to the Ipsos Predictions Survey 2026, nearly 6 in 10 Indians (59%) say they intend to watch the Soccer World Cup. This underscores the tournament’s powerful cross-border appeal and the deep emotional connect it continues to foster among Indian audiences.
Globally, the most buoyant markets present a compelling mix, of countries competing in the tournament as well as those with deeply rooted football fandom. Argentina leads the pack with 79% of its population planning to tune in, followed by South Korea (75%), Colombia (74%), South Africa (74%), Peru (72%), Romania (72%), Brazil (71%), Mexico (68%), Ireland (68%), Türkiye (68%), Thailand (67%), Indonesia (64%), Italy (62%), and Malaysia (60%).
Suresh Ramalingam, CEO, Ipsos, offers perspective on India’s evolving relationship with football: “Cricket continues to be the national favourite, but football, and particularly FIFA, holds a unique allure. The World Cup comes just once every four years, creating a sense of occasion. Add to that the opportunity to watch legendary players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in action, and it becomes a compelling proposition for fans.”
He further notes that Indian audiences tend to rally behind teams with rich footballing legacies such as Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Germany, France, etc. Additionally, football’s cultural roots in states like West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, Manipur, and Mizoram continue to fuel sustained interest and engagement.
Time zones, however, present a nuanced challenge. With a gap of 9.5 to 12.5 hours between India and the host countries, viewing habits are expected to fragment. Ramalingam explains: “There are broadly two segments of fans; committed supporters and casual viewers. While die-hard fans will not hesitate to stay up late or wake up early to catch live action, others will lean on highlights and recaps. The biggest hook remains the ability to watch the world’s greatest sporting spectacle live.”
There is some respite: 35 of the 104 matches are scheduled over weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), making it easier for audiences to tune in. This contrasts sharply with FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, where a much smaller time difference of just 2 hours and 30 minutes made live viewing highly convenient for Indian fans.
Adding to the tournament’s cultural vibrancy, FIFA World Cup 2026 introduces three mascots representing the host nations. Maple, the Moose from Canada is a goalkeeper embodying creativity, resilience, and teamwork; Zayu, the Jaguar from Mexico is a forward striker symbolizing strength, agility, and cultural pride; and Clutch, the Bald Eagle from the United States, plays as a midfielder, reflecting courage, leadership, and unity.
Argentina: The Team to Beat?
A key narrative emerging from the Ipsos survey is the strong belief in defending champions Argentina. An overwhelming 87% of Argentinians are confident of retaining the title. Interestingly, India emerges as the most bullish market globally outside Argentina, with 68% of Indians backing Argentina to lift the trophy again.
Other markets expressing strong support include Indonesia (59%), Peru (55%), Malaysia (53%), Thailand (52%), Türkiye (52%), and Romania. In contrast, scepticism is most pronounced among traditional football rivals of Germany (20%), Brazil (25%), Japan (25%), and the Netherlands (27%).
Weather: A Potential Disruptor
While excitement builds, concerns around match disruptions are also surfacing. In India, 67% of respondents believe that extreme weather could lead to matches being abandoned or rescheduled. This concern is not unfounded.
All three host nations are susceptible to varied and often unpredictable weather conditions; from thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to extreme heat, in summer. With only a limited number of stadiums equipped with retractable roofs, weather-related interruptions remain a tangible risk that could influence the tournament experience.
Technical note
For this survey, Ipsos interviewed a total of 23,642 adults aged 18 years and older in India, 18-74 in Canada, Republic of Ireland, Malaysia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the United States, 20-74 in Thailand, 21-74 in Indonesia and Singapore, and 16-74 in all other countries between Friday, October 24, and Friday, November 7, 2025.
The sample consists of approximately 1,000 individuals each in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, and the U.S., and 500 individuals each in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and Türkiye. The sample in India consists of approximately 2,200 individuals, of whom approximately 1,800 were interviewed face-to-face and 400 were interviewed online.
