In any language: English speakers are tuning into World Cup broadcasts in Spanish

By — Tim Reynolds, Associated Press Tim Reynolds, Associated Press By — Obed Lamy, Associated Press Obed Lamy, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/in-any-language-english-speakers-are-tuning-into-world-cup-broadcasts-in-spanish Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter In any language: English speakers are tuning into World Cup broadcasts in Spanish World Jul 10, 2026 3:13 PM EDT MIAMI (AP) — Ashleigh Hallam teaches English as a second language at her local library in Indiana. Soccer is now teaching her Spanish as a second language. For her, this World Cup couldn't make more sense. Hallam is among a sizable number of English-speaking people in the U.S. who are doing something these days that might be considered a bit surprising: They're watching broadcasts of World Cup matches in Spanish on Telemundo, even though they have little idea — or in some cases, no idea — 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." READ MORE: U.S. star Christian Pulisic fractured leg in World Cup loss to Belgium The math is simple. Census figures show that about 20% of the U.S. is Hispanic, yet Telemundo points to Nielsen ratings to show that roughly half the World Cup viewers in the U.S. have watched at least some portion of some matches in Spanish. Every match of the tournament has been available for U.S. viewers in English on Fox or FS1, on Telemundo or Universo in Spanish, and there are streaming options such as Fox One or Peacock. Among the reasons commonly cited by viewers who spoke with The Associated Press in recent days: A fascination with famed broadcaster Andrés Cantor's "¡goooooool!" call. Telemundo doesn't cut away for commercials (as Fox does) during the much-maligned hydration breaks. The broadcasts, some simply find, are more entertaining. And in other cases, it's a cost-based decision: Peacock, which includes Telemundo, is lower-priced than Fox One. Soccer as a global language, transcending a limited vocabulary Jackson Braunius is a Michigan native who watched a U.S. game last week from a bar seat at a steakhouse in Miami Lakes, Florida. He said he speaks almost no Spanish — "I know 'cerveza,'" he said, tapping his beer glass — but didn't mind watching on Telemundo whatsoever. "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 has been hosting World Cup watch parties on YouTube. He's made the switch to Spanish-language feeds, and the hydration break issue was a huge part of that decision. READ MORE: FIFA's Infantino targeted by complaint to Olympic ethics body after Trump lobbying on Balogun ban "We're seeing the players on the pitch discussing what's