The FIFA World Cup 2026™ has reached a milestone that no edition of the competition has ever achieved before — total attendance has surpassed five million spectators for the first time in the tournament's near-100-year history.

The landmark figure was reached during France's Round of 32 victory over Sweden at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where a capacity crowd of 80,663 packed the stands to witness Les Bleus claim a 3-0 win.

The fan credited with becoming the five millionth attendee was 25-year-old Raphaël Noufele, a France supporter who grew up between Paris and New York City. He was honoured before kick-off when France 1998 and Russia 2018 winners Blaise Matuidi and Youri Djorkaeff presented him with a giant ceremonial ticket to mark the occasion.

Head coach Didier Deschamps then added to the moment by gifting Noufele the shirt of current squad member Désiré Doué.