FIFA says 1 billion saw part of World Cup final

FIFA says 909.6 million television viewers watched at least one minute of the 2010 World Cup final at home between Spain and the Netherlands, and the total likely topped a billion when adding online and public places.

FIFA's research says 619.7 million people watched 20 consecutive minutes of Spain's 1-0 extra-time win.

However, the official ratings for soccer's biggest match seems to have been beaten by the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony as the world's most-watched live event.

FIFA says the "average in-home global audience" was 530.9 million for the final played July 11, 2010, at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.

The Olympics' opening at Bird's Nest stadium drew an average audience of 593 million.