Canada Becomes the First Team to Reach the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 as Antena 1 Leads the Ratings on Day 18
Last night, from 10:00 p.m., live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, South Africa and Canada kicked off the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match at SoFi Stadium marked the tournament's first knockout fixture, broadcast exclusively across the Antena universe.
Viewers tuned in to the opening knockout clash between South Africa and Canada, while the audience figures released today for the previous day's final group-stage matches—Colombia vs. Portugal (Group K, 0-0) and Jordan vs. Argentina (Group J, 1-3)—also confirmed Antena 1 as the clear ratings leader. Antena 1 also finished as the most-watched television channel throughout the entire day.
The tournament continues today, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, with a series of blockbuster knockout encounters that promise to keep football fans on the edge of their seats. At 8:00 p.m., five-time world champions Brazil take on a determined Japan, driven by pride and fighting spirit. At 11:30 p.m., four-time FIFA World Cup winners Germany face an ambitious Paraguay side eager to make history. Then, at 4:00 a.m., one of the strongest nations never to have won the World Cup, the Netherlands, meet giant-killers Morocco, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY.
The first Round of 32 match, South Africa vs. Canada, played between 10:00 p.m. and 11:58 p.m. and broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, was the evening's top-rated programme. Among viewers aged 21-54, it recorded a 30.2% market share and an average rating of 6.4 points, comfortably ahead of Pro TV, which posted an 18.9% market share and 4 rating points.
The same ranking was maintained among the urban audience, where Antena 1 achieved a 24.6% market share and 6.7 rating points, compared to Pro TV's 13.1% market share and 3.5 rating points. Nationwide, Antena 1 also led with a 21.6% market share and 5.9 rating points, ahead of Pro TV's 16.1% market share and 4.4 rating points. At the golden minute (10:47 p.m.), more than 1.2 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1.
Antena 1 also ranked first throughout the entire broadcast day among the commercial audience aged 21-54, posting 2.2 rating points and a 19% market share.
The audience data released today for the previous day's matches—Colombia vs. Portugal (0-0) and Jordan vs. Argentina (1-3)—also placed Antena 1 at the top of the ratings, recording 37.9% and 34.4% market share, respectively, among viewers aged 21-54. The channel maintained its leadership across all other key audience categories as well.
After surprising the football world with their impressive run to the knockout stage, South Africa arrived at SoFi Stadium determined to eliminate one of the tournament's host nations, Canada. Following a tightly contested match with few clear-cut chances, Canada found the breakthrough in stoppage time thanks to Stephen Eustáquio, securing a dramatic 1-0 victory and advancing to the Round of 16.
Canada will now face the winner of the Netherlands vs. Morocco match, which will be broadcast live from 4:00 a.m. on Monday night into Tuesday on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY.
Stephen Eustáquio's stunning strike in the second minute of stoppage time delivered Canada's victory and a place in the Round of 16. The goal is widely regarded as the most significant in the history of the Canadian men's national team. Valued at €6 million, Eustáquio has now made 60 international appearances and scored five goals for Canada.
FIFA World Cup – Day 19 Schedule
- 8:00 p.m. – Brazil vs. Japan (Houston, Texas)
- 11:30 p.m. – Germany vs. Paraguay (Boston, Massachusetts)
- 4:00 a.m. – Netherlands vs. Morocco (Monterrey, Mexico)
Source: Fifty5Blue
Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.
Audience data processed by the Antena Group Research Department.
Analysis based on the Urban 21–54, Urban Total, and National target audiences.
Reporting period: June 28, 2026.
