With the sport growing even more, the World Cup finals had diverse attendances. With the trophy on the line in the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the match will add another chapter to the competition’s history, but it will not become the most attended final ever.
This is not because of a lack of interest, but because of the capacity of modern stadiums. While they remain among the biggest venues in the world, improved comfort and seating standards have reduced the number of spectators that can enter compared to older stadiums.
The most attended World Cup final ever was the match in which Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 in 1986 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico. The legendary stadium, known for hosting some of the biggest events in soccer history, had 114,600 spectators registered by Guinness World Records.
Lowest attendance in a World Cup final
In the early editions of the tournament, there may have also been less interest because the competition was still developing. The biggest exception was the Maracanã Stadium, which hosted 173,850 spectators for the decisive match between Brazil and Uruguay in 1950. However, that match was not an official final because the tournament used a final group stage format.
The Estadio Azteca gathers the biggest crowds (Rodrigo Oropeza/Getty Images)
Most of the lowest-attended World Cup finals came during the first editions of the competition, possibly because fans had not yet fully embraced the tournament. That is no longer the case, as the World Cup has become the biggest event in international soccer.
The least attended World Cup final was in 1938, when Italy defeated Hungary 4-2. Only 45,000 spectators were present at the Stade Olympique de Colombes in France.
Attendance by year
YearFinalStadiumAttendance1930Uruguay vs ArgentinaEstadio Centenario68,3461934Italy vs CzechoslovakiaStadio Nazionale PNF55,0001938Italy vs HungaryStade Olympique de Colombes45,0001950Uruguay vs Brazil*Maracanã StadiumNot an official final1954West Germany vs HungaryWankdorf Stadium62,5001958Brazil vs SwedenRåsunda Stadium49,7371962Brazil vs CzechoslovakiaEstadio Nacional68,6791966England vs West GermanyWembley Stadium96,9241970Brazil vs ItalyEstadio Azteca107,4121974West Germany vs NetherlandsOlympiastadion75,2001978Argentina vs NetherlandsEstadio Monumental71,4831982Italy vs West GermanySantiago Bernabéu90,0001986Argentina vs West GermanyEstadio Azteca114,6001990West Germany vs ArgentinaStadio Olimpico73,6031994Brazil vs ItalyRose Bowl94,1941998France vs BrazilStade de France75,0002002Brazil vs GermanyInternational Stadium Yokohama69,0292006Italy vs FranceOlympiastadion69,0002010Spain vs NetherlandsSoccer City84,4902014Germany vs ArgentinaMaracanã Stadium74,7382018France vs CroatiaLuzhniki Stadium78,0112022Argentina vs FranceLusail Stadium88,966