In 2010, 3.4 billion people watched the World Cup soccer championship, according to Forbes. The 2014 championship in Brazil was the most-watched televised event in many countries. In Germany, more than 34 million people watched the match between Germany and Argentina.
World Cup matches account for nine of the 16 most-watched programs ever in Germany. In Portugal, World Cup matches are five of the top 16 TV programs ever. In the United States, however, the World Cup does not rank in the 14 most-watched TV shows of all time.
The World Cup, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is held every four years. Teams from about 200 countries compete in tournaments to try to qualify for the World Cup.
