Mbappé's Historic Record → Messi's Hat-Trick.. KBS Dominates World Cup Viewership

*This content was translated by AI.

KBS, which exclusively broadcast the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup group stage live on terrestrial television, continued to maintain an overwhelming lead in viewership competition alongside explosive goal-scoring performances by superstars Lionel Messi (Argentina), Kylian Mbappé (France), and Erling Haaland (Norway).

In the Group I match between France and Senegal held at New Jersey Stadium in New York at 4 a.m. on the 17th (all times in Korean time), France secured a 3-1 victory. The match, which KBS commentator Lee Young-pyo had predicted would be won by the "champion team," drew the attention of numerous soccer fans early that morning. With a viewership rating of 1.2% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide basis), France's captain Mbappé scored multiple goals, setting a historic record by breaking the all-time World Cup goal record and the all-time A-match goal record in French football history. Notably, this matchup attracted significant attention as a revenge match held for the first time in 24 years since the defending champion France suffered a shocking defeat to debutant Senegal at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. Ultimately, as France achieved a perfect revenge, caster Kim Jong-hyun praised them without reservation, saying, "France is France, and Mbappé is Mbappé." Commentator Jung Woo-won also evaluated, "France, one of the strongest championship contenders in this tournament, started off pleasantly in the Group of Death."

Following that, in another Group I clash held at Boston Stadium at 7 a.m., Norway dominated Iraq with a 4-1 victory. In this match, which recorded a 2.0% viewership rating, the presence of "monster ace" Haaland shone brightly. In his first-ever World Cup stage and first match, Haaland scored two goals, including the opening goal and the winning goal, becoming the top contributor to his team's victory. Commentator Park Chan-ha analyzed, "It was a match where the difference in team strength could not be ignored," adding, "Norway, objectively superior in strength, demonstrated powerful finishing ability and won decisively." Caster Kim Jin-woong stated, "Haaland performed in a manner befitting his name as a superstar, and it was a time when we could properly witness the terrifying power of the Viking army."

The Group J match between Argentina and Algeria, held at Kansas City Stadium at 10 a.m., recorded a 1.9% viewership rating, with Messi leading his team to a 3-0 complete victory with a hat-trick.

The 2026 FIFA North American World Cup group stage captivated viewers with dazzling performances from world soccer's superstars, including Mbappé's historic record, Haaland's intense World Cup debut, and Messi's explosive hat-trick show. Meanwhile, "World Cup representative broadcaster" KBS dominated viewership by delivering a differentiated broadcast that combined vivid on-site coverage with in-depth commentary, fully conveying the World Cup fever to living rooms.

KBS will exclusively broadcast all matches of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, held until July 19, live on terrestrial television. The South Korean national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Mexico at 10 a.m. Korean time on the 19th and South Africa at 10 a.m. on the 25th in the group stage, following their victory against the Czech Republic.

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*This content was translated by AI.