Why English-speaking soccer fans across the US are choosing Spanish World Cup commentary

Ashleigh Hallam, an English as a second language teacher in Indiana , is finding herself learning Spanish , thanks to the World Cup. For her, and a growing number of Americans, the global soccer tournament has become an unexpected linguistic and cultural bridge. Hallam is among a significant demographic of English-speaking individuals across the US who are making a surprising choice: they are tuning into World Cup matches broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo, often with little to no comprehension of what the announcers are saying. "I can’t really understand everything they’re saying on Telemundo because they’re speaking in Spanish," Hallam said. "But you understand what’s going on." The trend is notable given the demographics. While approximately 20 percent of the US population is Hispanic, Nielsen ratings indicate that roughly half of all World Cup viewers in the U. have watched at least some portion of matches in Spanish. Viewers have multiple options, with every tournament match available in English on Fox or FS1, in Spanish on Telemundo or Universo, and various streaming platforms like Fox One or Peacock. Several reasons are commonly cited by viewers for their preference for Spanish-language broadcasts. Many are captivated by famed broadcaster Andrés Cantor's iconic "¡goooooool!" call. Unlike Fox, Telemundo does not cut away for commercials during the much-debated hydration breaks, allowing for uninterrupted viewing of crucial on-field moments. Many simply find the Spanish broadcasts more entertaining, while for others, it’s a cost-based decision, with Peacock, which includes Telemundo, often being a more affordable streaming option than Fox One. The phenomenon underscores soccer’s ability to transcend language barriers, acting as a truly global language. Jackson Braunius, a Michigan native, watched a US game from a Miami Lakes steakhouse, admitting he speaks almost no Spanish beyond "cerveza”, as he tapped his beer glass. Yet, he found no issue watching on Telemundo. Some fans want to hear Andres Cantor's iconic commentary (Getty) "I figured out the science here," Braunius said. "When they’re not talking too loud, nothing is happening. When they get loud, there’s a chance. When they get real loud, it’s probably going to be a goal." Comedian Trevor Noah, who hosts World Cup watch parties on YouTube , also made the switch to Spanish-language feeds, citing the absence of hydration break commercials as a major factor. "We’re seeing the players on the pitch discussing what’s happening. You see which coach is more stressed. Some players are tapping each other on the back. This is part of the game," Noah said on one of his YouTube streams. "I feel like when you cut to ads, you lose this — you lose the stress, you lose the joy, the anticipation. So, shout out again, Telemundo: Really, really amazing coverage." Telemundo has acknowledged and embraced the praise, publicly thanking English-speaking viewers and Noah directly for their appreciation of its coverage. The widespread appeal suggests a robust viewership for both English and Spanish broadcasts. This success could potentially lead to a bidding war for the 2030 World Cup rights, with reports suggesting that English and Spanish television rights might be packaged together in future deals, a departure from the current tournament’s arrangement. Recent viewership figures highlight the immense popularity of the sport. Fox Sports reported that the Belgium-US match saw a peak viewership of approximately 41 million, making it the "most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history." This final US game in the World Cup garnered more viewers than any other event in the country since the Super Bowl, with an average of at least 45 million viewers across Fox (33 million) and Telemundo (an estimated 12 million). For context, the most recent Super Bowl drew an average of about 125 million viewers. William Kennedy of Miami, married to a Colombian woman, knows just enough Spanish to order meals. Yet, he frequently finds himself drawn to Telemundo for World Cup matches. Even after Colombia’s elimination, Kennedy often defaults to the Spanish broadcast. "When the American commentators are doing the game, I don’t know what game they’re watching. I just don’t," Kennedy said. "I’d rather get the excitement in Spanish because essentially what happens is they’re talking, and then they’re talking really, really fast, and then they’re getting loud and your brain is just like, ‘Oh, something’s happening — even if I don’t know what’s happening.’" Hallam, who finds the World Cup a valuable tool for bonding with her Spanish-speaking students, became a dedicated soccer fan only a few years ago when her daughter joined a recreational league. She coached her daughter through high school and is now firmly hooked on both soccer and Spanish-language broadcasts, intending to continue watching long after the World Cup concludes. "It’s just very comforting," Hallam said. "We're really enjoyed it and I hope we get to continue. The next World Cup, we’re going to watch it just like this."