France Becomes the First Team to Reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals as Antena 1 Leads the Ratings for the 29th Consecutive Day

The world's biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, reached the quarter-final stage last night, with France and Morocco battling for a place in the semi-finals. Tournament favourites France, led by Mbappé, Dembélé and Olisé, defeated the standard-bearers of African football, Morocco, 2-0 in a match that once again dominated the TV ratings, extending the tournament's streak as the audience leader to 29 consecutive days. Antena 1 also finished yesterday as the most-watched television channel across the entire broadcast day, adding another record-breaking chapter to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Tonight, the race for the semi-finals continues, where every second could mean the difference between national heartbreak and global glory. From 10:00 PM, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, reigning European champions Spain, the only team yet to concede a goal at this World Cup after ending Cristiano Ronaldo's dream, take on Belgium's experienced squad, led by Tielemans, De Bruyne and Lukaku.

Yesterday's first FIFA World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco delivered yet another record-breaking performance. Broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY between 11:01 PM and 1:01 AM, France's 2-0 victory ranked first among viewers, posting a 49.5% market share and a 9.0 rating among adults aged 21–54, compared to Pro TV's 15.4% market share and 2.8 rating points. The same hierarchy was maintained among urban viewers, where the match achieved a 45% market share and a 9.7 rating, ahead of Pro TV's 11.2% market share and 2.4 rating points. Nationwide, Antena 1 also led with a 38.5% market share and a 7.9 rating, while Pro TV followed with an 11.8% market share and a 2.4 rating. At the peak viewing minute (11:37 PM), more than 1.6 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1.

Antena 1 also topped the overall daily rankings among adults aged 21–54, recording a 2.2 rating and a 23.4% market share.

Last night, Mbappé and Dembélé guided the reigning world runners-up into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarter-finals, played in Boston and broadcast live and exclusively in Romania on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Ousmane Dembélé doubled France's lead six minutes later. With the victory, France advances to the semi-finals, where it will face the winner of tonight's Spain vs. Belgium quarter-final, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY from 10:00 PM.

The match produced several new entries in the FIFA World Cup record books. At 27 years and 201 days old, Kylian Mbappé became the youngest player ever to reach 20 FIFA World Cup finals appearances, breaking the previous record held by Poland's Władysław Żmuda, who reached the milestone at 28 years and 34 days, according to Opta. Mbappé also reached 64 international goals and 36 assists for France, becoming the first player in the nation's history to register 100 direct goal contributions. It was also a historic evening for Didier Deschamps, who became the head coach with the most matches managed in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing former Germany coach Helmut Schön.

Morocco also celebrated individual milestones live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, aged 18 years and 280 days, became the first teenager since Pelé to appear in a FIFA World Cup quarter-final. Pelé achieved the feat at just 17 years and 239 days. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (35) also set a remarkable record after saving a penalty from Kylian Mbappé. According to Opta, he became the first goalkeeper in FIFA World Cup history to save four penalties, including penalty shootouts. In addition to denying Mbappé, Bounou had previously saved three penalties during Morocco's Round of 16 shootout victory over the Netherlands.

Tonight, the second quarter-final, Spain vs. Belgium, will be broadcast live from Los Angeles starting at 10:00 PM on Antena 1 and streamed live on AntenaPLAY.

Source: Fifty5Blue

Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.

Audience data processed by: Antena Group Research Department

Analysis based on the following audience segments: Adults 21–54 (Urban), Total Urban and National

Reporting period: July 9, 2026