JUNE 29, 2026

AI regulation PAC and Collins-aligned groups lead political ad spending during first two U.S. World Cup matches

Political campaigns and committees spent $740,330 on television advertising during the first two U.S. matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to an AdImpact analysis conducted for Politico. Jobs and Democracy PAC, an AI regulation group led by former Reps. Chris Stewart and Brad Carson, was the single largest spender at $240,000, while two groups aligned with Sen. Susan Collins collectively spent $225,000 across the two matches.

Political campaigns and committees directed more than $740,000 toward World Cup television advertising during the U.S. matches against Paraguay on June 12 and Australia on June 19, according to AdImpact data reported by Politico. The first U.S. match against Australia was described by a GOP operative as "the most watched soccer broadcast in American history."

Jobs and Democracy PAC, which describes its mission as backing candidates "committed to defending the public interest against those who aim to buy their way out of sensible AI regulation," spent $240,000 on ads during the June 19 U.S.-Australia match. The PAC is led by former Rep. Chris Stewart, a Republican from Utah, and former Rep. Brad Carson, a Democrat from Oklahoma.

Two organizations aligned with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine accounted for another $225,000 in combined spending. Stronger America, a 501(c)(4) issue advocacy group, spent $149,000 across both matches, while Pine Tree Results PAC spent $76,000. Republicans have described the Maine Senate race, in which Collins faces Democrat Graham Platner, as "the linchpin" in the fight for Senate control, according to Politico. A GOP operative working on the race said Portland's media market has "a significant soccer fan base" that made the broadcasts an attractive buy.