More than half of the global population aged four and over tuned in to the 2018 World Cup, according to FIFA.
A combined 3.572 billion viewers watched the football action, with an average live audience of 191 million per match.
1.12 billion tuned in for the final between France and Croatia on 15th July, 884.37 million of whom watched via linear TV coverage and a further 231.82 million out-of-home and digital-only.
FIFA also reported that on average, viewers watching on TV at home engaged with the coverage for longer than in previous FIFA World Cups.
FIFA CCO Philippe Le Floc’h said: “These figures really do support the claim that Russia 2018 was the best World Cup ever. We’re particularly pleased to see an increase in the average time viewers are engaging with matches, which shows that we are giving the fans what they want.
“The fact that half the world’s population watched the FIFA World Cup reflects not just the high quality of our award-winning live coverage, but also that fans everywhere are insatiable for world-class football.”
