sports
Poll Finds 17% of U.S. Adults Highly Excited About World Cup
A new survey shows limited overall excitement for the ongoing World Cup among U.S. adults. Soccer fans report higher engagement through social media and betting than through traditional fandom.
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A poll conducted June 26-28 found that 17% of U.S. adults are extremely or very excited about the remainder of the World Cup. The same survey showed that 25% of adults overall expressed excitement about the United States reaching the knockout round.
Soccer fans registered stronger reactions. About 60% of fans said they were extremely or very excited about the U.S. team advancing, and 55% rated the team's group-stage performance as extremely or very well.
40% of adults reported using social media to follow teams and players. One-quarter said they had watched or planned to watch a game at a restaurant or bar. About 10% of adults said they had placed an official bet on World Cup matches. Five percent reported trading on game outcomes through prediction markets.
Americans and soccer fans were evenly split between favorable and unfavorable opinions of FIFA. Twenty percent held a positive view while 25% held a negative view; 55% expressed no opinion. About half of soccer fans said the United States' role as co-host is going at least very well. One-third gave the same rating to FIFA's management of the tournament.
