What the viewership figures tell us about World Cup's success so far

Americans are showing up for the World Cup in record-breaking numbers July 1, 202611:06 AM ET Juliana Kim Mexico fans reacts to its national team scoring against the Czech Republic during a watch party at Shell Stadium in Houston on June 24. Jacob Lujan/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jacob Lujan/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images It didn't take long for Americans to embrace the face paint. Or the flag-wearing. Or the dancing and marching to the sounds of Brazil's samba or Scotland's bagpipes. Soccer Edition On to the knockout round: 4 takeaways from the FIFA World Cup so far The World Cup is halfway through, and it's shaping up exactly how soccer organizers and longtime fans had hoped: The tournament is one big party. A party that has stretched across sweaty sports bars and crowded parks. In hole-in-the-wall restaurants and sprawling football stadiums. And in oppressive heat and relentless thunderstorms. Fans attend the Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Los Angeles Union Station on June 25. Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Union Station hide caption toggle caption Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Union Station In Boston, over a thousand fans gathered for the city's last fan festival at City Hall Plaza — cheering in unison with every goal scored during England vs. Panama. " To be honest, I had no expectations. But I didn't know how great it was gonna be," said Jason Jusino, of Medford, Mass. " The city hasn't felt this kind of electricity in so long." Sponsor Message The World Cup began dogged by criticism over sky-high ticket prices and concerns that the U.S. was a problematic host. None of those issues has been resolved. But Americans are showing up anyway for the world's most beloved sport and in record-breaking numbers. It comes as the U.S. heads into its knockout stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday at 8 pm ET. "Soccer has won," said Bret Myers, who teaches sports analytics at Villanova University's School of...