10 Most Watched Matches in Football History (Ranked)

Football is the most-watched sport in the world, with an estimated 3.5 billion fans worldwide. Its global reach is astounding but unsurprising given the stories told each time teams and players go to war on the pitch.

Zinedine Zidane once claimed that “football is the only thing that can bring together an entire country, regardless of political or religious differences”. He knows all too well how important the sport can be to its audience, as he has featured in four of the most-watched matches in history.

The World Cup in particular manages to capture the imagination of fans around the world; even those not usually enthused by the idea of watching players kick a ball up and down a pitch are drawn in. The following ten matches have garnered interest from all regions of the globe and include finals, derbies and crowning moments.

10

2022 FIFA World Cup Final: Argentina vs France

1.5 billion viewers

The 2022 FIFA World Cup final drew a record-breaking 1.5 billion viewers and is likely to have made new fans of the sport. There hasn’t been a more enthralling spectacle of football on a global scale than the meeting between Argentina and France in Lusail, Qatar.

It was a final that had everything: drama, tension, intriguing subplots and a heroic ending. La Abiceleste prevailed 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw over 120 minutes. Lionel Messi finally got his hands on a much-desired World Cup trophy, but not without Kylian Mbappe’s Les Bleus giving them a scare.

The 2022 World Cup was reportedly the most-watched sporting event in history, marking the culmination of a thrilling tournament. From Mbappe’s incredible hat-trick, Messi’s marvellous brace and Angel Di Maria’s opener to Emi Martinez’s shootout antics, this had everything.

Related

10 Most-Watched Sports Events of All Time [Ranked]

Paul and Tyson’s fight cracks the top 10 most-watched sports event of all time – but an array of events still better the recent bout.

9

1998 FIFA World Cup Final: France vs Brazil

1.3 billion viewers

FIFA’s figures given for viewership of their events have been disputed. They reported that a global audience of 1.3 billion watched the 1998 World Cup final between France and Brazil.

That makes sense, given that its participants are two of the biggest footballing nations, and this included household names such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, Dunga, and Patrick Vieira.

World Cup finals tend to be influenced by a world-class performance from one player, and this was Zidane’s masterpiece. The Real Madrid legend popped up with two headers, while Emmanuel Petit was on target as the French triumphed on home soil despite Marcel Desailly’s red card.

8

2018 FIFA World Cup Final: France vs Croatia

1.12 billion viewers

Another France World Cup win came in 2018, and their victory against Croatia in Russia was watched by 1.12 billion viewers around the world. FIFA claim that 884.37 million viewers tuned in on linear TV, while 231.82 million were out-of-home and digital-only viewers.

They had watched the rise of a 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe throughout the tournament, and he was on target in a 4-2 win. This was perhaps one of the most predictable finals to call, but it still garnered plenty of interest.

Ivan Perisic equalized after Mario Mandzukic’s own goal before Didier Deschamps’s side dominated through goals from Antoine Griezmann (P), Paul Pogba and Mbappe. Mandzukic grabbed a late consolation goal, but France reigned supreme in Moscow.

7

2002 FIFA World Cup Final: Brazil vs Germany

1.1 billion viewers

The last time record-holders Brazil won the World Cup was in 2002, and their victory over Germany in the final is believed to have raked in 1.1 billion viewers. Selecao were a joy to watch at the time, with Ronaldo Nazario scoring for fun, Ronaldinho pulling off audacious tricks, and Roberto Carlos showing off his set-piece mastery.

This was a significant period for football, as it was the first World Cup to be held outside of Europe or the Americas. South Korea and Japan hosted, which inevitably drew more interest from the Asian audience.

A rare Oliver Kahn mistake allowed Ronaldo to pounce for the opener before he grabbed his second, the Golden Boot and the trophy. It should be noted that this was another final for which FIFA’s viewership data is doubted.

6

2014 FIFA World Cup Final: Germany vs Argentina

1.01 billion viewers

Germany’s World Cup final heroics in 2014 came at the expense of Lionel Messi’s Argentina. FIFA claims that approximately 1.013 billion viewers watched at least one minute of Die Mannschaft’s 1-0 win, courtesy of Mario Gotze’s extra-time winner.

It felt wrong not to see Brazil make the final at the Maracana, but their arch-rivals’ defeat at least numbed the pain. This was the Germans’ fourth World Cup win and their first since their reunification.

5

2010 FIFA World Cup Final: Spain vs Netherlands

909 million viewers

The 2010 World Cup final saw Spain claim the trophy for the first time in the nation’s history, a moment that had been a long time coming. Vincente del Bosque’s men had an audience of 909 million watching them defeat the Netherlands in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Andres Iniesta netted the winner in extra time in a bruising affair that resulted in 14 yellow cards. Many of the millions will have felt Nigel de Jong deserved a red card for his studs-up challenge on Xabi Alonso.

John Heitinga was dismissed in extra time, seven minutes before Iniesta hit his winner. With the world watching, this was a final that failed to live up to expectations.

4

2006 FIFA World Cup Final: Italy vs France

715 million viewers

You could make a case for this being the second most entertaining World Cup final in history, given the twists and turns that unfolded at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. However, this didn’t quite reach the viewership heights of other finals, with an estimated 715 million viewers catching Zinedine Zidane’s sending-off.

Zidane’s headbutt is one of the most famous images in football history, and perhaps had technology been more advanced, this final would be way further up. One can imagine millions flocking to their nearest television after seeing ‘#ZizouHeadbutt’ trend on Twitter.

Nevertheless, Italy had themselves a bellissimo time in Germany, beating favourites France 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. Zidane had opened the scoring from the spot before Marco Materazzi equalised before provoking Les Bleus’ skipper into headbutting his chest. Fabio Grosso struck the winning penalty in a tense shootout.

Related

The 15 Best World Cup Finals Of All Time (Ranked)

There’s nothing better than a World Cup final, so here are the best 15 ranked

3

2022 UEFA Champions League Final: Real Madrid vs Liverpool

700 million viewers

The most-watched club game in history, with an estimated 700 million viewers, per ESPN, was that of the 2022 Champions League final. Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the final at Stade de France to grab a record-extending 14th European title.

There is some irony in this, arguably the most boring of Madrid’s 2021-22 Champions League campaign and their two finals against the Reds. Their 2018 meeting was a showpiece that would be tough to live up to, but man-of-the-match Thibaut Courtois put on a goalkeeping masterclass with nine saves.

Vinicius Junior scored the winner, and there was to be no revenge story for Mohamed Salah and the rest of the Reds after their controversial loss four years prior. Los Blancos’ campaign overall is the biggest fairytale story in the competition’s history, with famous comeback victories over PSG and Manchester City.

2

2017-18 La Liga: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

650 million viewers

El Clasico peaked during the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry, and they squared off in the most-watched club match in football history. Mundo Deportivo (via BBC) reported that 650 million fans tuned in to see one of the many editions of the ‘GOAT debate’ contested on the pitch.

It was a Barca mauling of Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu that indicated just how dominant the Catalans had become in Spain. Messi was at the races while Ronaldo wasn’t, but they weren’t the only stars on display on millions of televisions around the globe.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring before Dani Carvajal was sent off for handling in the box, and Messi converted the resulting penalty. Aleix Vidal finished the hosts off late on in one of many El Clasico classics.

1

2018 UEFA Champions League Final: Real Madrid vs Liverpool

Viewers: 400-500 million

The first movie in a series tends to be the best, and that’s the case for Real Madrid and Liverpool’s Champions League final battles. Their 2018 entry was watched by an estimated 400-500 million fans, and it was a rollercoaster ride that saw Gareth Bale become the Spaniard’s unlikely hero.

Loris Karius unfortunately played the role of the clumsy villain, making two remarkable blunders that Karim Benzema and Bale pounced upon. But he had nothing to do with the Welshman’s majestic overhead kick to put Madrid back in front after Sadio Mane had levelled.

That goal itself deserved to be viewed by the audience of 400+ million and was another of the moments mentioned that can turn non-football fans into avid viewers. That’s not to mention Sergio Ramos controversially injuring Mohamed Salah. This was European football at its emotional best.

Data courtesy of ESPN, FIFA, UEFA and SquareMile – reported as of 04.06.2025

Related

10 Biggest Matches in Football History (Ranked)

From England’s World Cup victory to Liverpool’s miracle in Istanbul, discover the 10 biggest matches in football history.