World Cup 2026: M6 attracts 4.4 million viewers for Belgium-Iran despite 0-0 draw

M6 confirms its grip on 2026 World Cup audiences: the Belgium-Iran match, despite ending in a 0-0 draw, attracted an average of 4.4 million viewers on Sunday evening, more than double the films offered simultaneously by TF1 and France 2.

The channel is broadcasting 54 of the 104 matches in this unprecedented 48-team edition, averaging two to three matches per day during the group stage. A volume without precedent that could have worn out the public, but the audience figures testify to solid loyalty. A few hours before Belgium-Iran, Spain’s victory over Saudi Arabia had drawn 3.2 million viewers.

The day before, on Saturday, audiences had been comparable: Netherlands-Sweden (5-1) and Germany-Côte d’Ivoire (2-1) had also mobilized a substantial audience. These performances remain far from the peak recorded last Tuesday, when 14 million viewers followed France’s victory over Senegal (3-1).

Facing M6, TF1 was offering The Intern with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway, while France 2 was broadcasting Iris and the Men, a comedy with Laure Calamy. Neither came close to the football match’s scores, confirming that the World Cup remains, even in its least spectacular matchups, a top-tier television event.