Looking for love? The FIFA World Cup is where you may find the right match

The Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup is underway, and it has been a nail-biter so far. But the antics on the field aren’t the only thing that’s got the fans talking. The football tournament has also become the perfect opportunity for those who are looking to date, with Tinder seeing an upswing in ‘swiping’.

Data from the dating app reveals that swipes in the United States have climbed nearly 60 per cent since the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the increases becoming especially pronounced on match days.

Several host cities in the US, including Boston, have also recorded a surge in dating events.

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So, what’s going on?

Swiping right for love

Tinder has seen a surge in activity since the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Data shows that there was a 15 per cent rise in Tinder users in the US and around a 25 per cent increase in Swipe activity. There has been around a 60 per cent increase in matches compared to June 2025, reported Mashable.

What is even more interesting is that it’s not just the international fans that are swiping up a storm. The global dating platform also saw a 22 per cent increase in domestic users across the 16 host cities in the US during the same period.

Data shows that there has been a 15 per cent rise in Tinder users in the US and around a 25 per cent increase in Swipe activity after the FIFA World Cup began. File image/Reuters

This indicates that the World Cup seems to have everyone in the mood for romance, even as the teams battle it out on the field.

Data also revealed that the Sweden vs Tunisia match in Monterrey, Mexico, emerged as the strongest hotspot for Tinder activity so far, with activities surging by more than 80 per cent.

The World Cup becomes a love magnet

Away from the data, social media is also flooded with men and women sharing dating tips amid the World Cup.

On TikTok, single women are encouraging their followers to seize the opportunity and get involved with tourists. One woman even posted, “If the World Cup is in your city, why are you trying to date someone from your city?”

Describing it further, she said, “It’s giving hostel vibes. It’s giving, ‘I’m here for a good time, not a long time.’ It’s giving, ‘I met your dad in the FIFA World Cup 2026’.”

Another TikTok user said, “The World Cup is your oyster. You’re gonna have professional athletes, international men, at your disposal. . . . This World Cup is your World Cup.”

Football fans gather at a bar in Manhattan to watch World Cup matches. Hundreds of people are gathering across bars and pubs in the US to take in the excitement of the tournament, cheering for their favourite teams. AFP

Other single women also told the New York Post that they are using a myriad of apps for this occasion. “This is such an exciting time for us single girlies,” said 31-year-old Karen Gutierrez, who is based in Dallas. “I’ve been updating my profile with new summertime pictures, photos of me in my Team USA and Team Mexico soccer jerseys.”

And Katie isn’t the only such woman. Many more like her are also using the FIFA World Cup as an opportunity to find their potential match.

In Boston, the football tournament has reportedly kick-started the dating scene as more people meet in pubs and let loose. As Joe Andreazi, who moved to the city from Brazil, told The Boston Globe, the excitement around the world’s largest sporting event has brought people out of their shells.

“People in Boston are very shy and to themselves.” However, as the tournament has progressed, people are striking up conversations with fellow fans.

Danna Lituma, 22, a student at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, noted that amid the tournament, she has been approached most by Brazilians and Moroccans when going out during the World Cup.

Fans gather to watch the match at Tardes Calenas Bar Restaurant in Hollywood, Florida. Reuters

Sports and love go hand in hand

Many psychologists explain that sports events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 are the perfect place for love matches to occur. They note that common experiences frequently aid in the dismantling of social boundaries. Conversations that wouldn’t typically occur would take place owing to dramatic instances like a dramatic last-minute goal, rooting for the same team, or a penalty shootout.

Known as “collective effervescence”, French sociologist Émile Durkheim used it to describe the emotional highs people experience during massive shared events like concerts and sporting events.

Sports events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 is the perfect place for love matches to occur. Representational image/Pixabay

Another study also showed how sports have become a key factor in modern dating. According to Luke Brunning, a professor of ethics at Leeds, “An emphasis on experiences, being sociable, and forging intimacy through structured activities and clubs helps understand why more people are vocal about sport. Add to that the growing representation of women in sport, as well as the visibility of nonmainstream sports on social media, and cultural emphasis on wellness, fitness, and health, and the stage is set for sport to take a more prominent place in dating.”

Interestingly, dating surges amid a sports event isn’t a new trend. In fact, it’s pretty common for singles to be dating or hooking up during tournaments. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, there was a 20 per cent increase in Tinder swipes in France.

Similarly, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Brazil caused a surge in Tinder swipes. According to one report, the dating app saw a 50 per cent increase in downloads and usage in Brazil since the World Cup began.

With the FIFA World Cup entering the knockout stage of the tournament, the excitement is only going to grow. The question is, will it also help find love?

With inputs from agencies