Monday, October 26, 2026

USWNT’s Elimination From World Cup Puts Numbers Into Focus

  • The USWNT suffered their earliest exit ever at the Women’s World Cup.
  • Fox Sports now has no home country to showcase to viewers for the rest of the tournament.
Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The USWNT suffered their earliest exit ever from the Women’s World Cup after being eliminated by Sweden on Sunday.

New VAR technology at this year’s tournament was needed to confirm the Swedes’ game-winning penalty kick that ended the shootout after 120 scoreless minutes of play and sealed their ticket to the quarterfinals. 

After a disappointing group stage that brought two draws and one win, the USWNT — pre-tournament favorites to hoist a third-straight World Cup — are headed home with plenty of questions surrounding the star-studded team. 

The Bottom Line Numbers

USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski’s contract is expiring at the end of this year, and has paid him 73% less than the men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter. Andonovski has a base salary of around $400,000 and Berhalter’s is $1.3 million.

While USWNT matches averaged their best viewership numbers ever for a Women’s World Cup during the group stage, the overall tournament audience was actually down 37% from the 2019 World Cup, with the vast majority of matches in Australia and New Zealand taking place in less-than-ideal viewing hours for Americans.

Fox was already facing the prospect of hoping fans would tune into remaining USWNT games in the early morning hours on match days — and now has no home country to showcase for viewers in the States.

USWNT players made up 11 of the 15 highest-paid women at this World Cup, and each team member will take home $60,000 each for reaching the Round of 16. Another World Cup victory would have netted $270,000 per player.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

FIFA’s World Cup Rights Shake-Up Could Favor NBC Over Fox

It’s bad news for Fox and great news for Telemundo’s parent, NBC.

College Football’s Emerging Powers Are Shaking Up TV Ratings

BYU–Notre Dame averaged 9.2 million viewers on ABC.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/26/26 – NFL Weighs Hurts Review, Brewers Ticket Records, WNBA Finals Venue Chaos

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

Brewers Raking in Cash From World Series Run

Brewers fans have set several MLB merchandise sales records. 
October 23, 2026

Dream Deliver Finals Atmosphere to Match State Farm Arena Move

The Dream hold a 2–1 series lead over the Valkyries.
October 23, 2026

Mark Walter’s Sports Empire Shrinking Again

The Dodgers and Cadillac F1 remain in Walter’s portfolio despite other sales.
Sponsored

Blake Griffin’s Plan for Media Domination

The former NBA star is building a second act across media & entertainment.
Mat Ishbia
October 23, 2026

Suns Owner Mat Ishbia: Steve Ballmer Is a ‘Great Owner’

“That was a misstep by Steve,” Ishbia told FOS about the situation.
October 22, 2026

Dak Prescott: Cowboys Scrutiny Comes With the Territory

The Cowboys are off to a rocky 2–4 start.
Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium.
October 21, 2026

Steinbrenner Lays Blame for Yankees Playoff Loss With Players

The club’s managing general partners made several pointed remarks.
October 20, 2026

Jed York, Steve Tisch at NFL Owners Meeting After Scandals

York’s suspension is done.