The World Cup That Changed The Game
As an ardent sports enthusiast, football has always been a game very close to my heart. From Europe’s elite club competitions to international spectacles like the Copa América, the UEFA European Championship and, above all, the FIFA World Cup, I have watched the beautiful game evolve at a breath-taking pace constantly introducing new dimensions that have kept my interest intact. Yet, above them all stands the FIFA World Cup, held once every four years. For millions of fans across the world, it is more than just a tournament, it is a carnival of emotions, ecstasy and euphoria.
The recently concluded World Cup was no different, leaving behind a defining image of its own. While Qatar 2022 will forever be remembered for Lionel Messi finally lifting the trophy for Argentina, perhaps the only honour that had eluded his glittering career, the 2026 USA–Canada–Mexico World Cup offered a glimpse into what the future of football’s greatest spectacle could look like.
The 2026 edition was a tournament of contrasts from record attendances and worthy champions to emerging footballing nations, unexpected disappointments and, above all, the debate surrounding the expanded 48 team format. Personally, I welcomed the expansion. It gave several lesser-known nations the opportunity to test themselves against the very best, and in doing so, showcased football’s growing global footprint.
There were many aspects of this World Cup that I thoroughly enjoyed. Spain’s meticulous execution of their game plan from the opening match to the final was a joy to watch. They were worthy champions in every sense. Rodri’s command of midfield was nothing short of masterful, while the immensely gifted Lamine Yamal announced himself as football’s next global superstar. Messi, in what was expected to be his final World Cup, showed little sign of slowing down and was the driving force behind Argentina’s march to the final. He remained one of the standout performers of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland once again demonstrated why they are among the finest players of this generation. Cape Verde, a nation unfamiliar to many football followers before this tournament, captured hearts with its fearless and spirited performances. Morocco reaffirmed that their exploits in recent years were no coincidence, once again proving they belong among football’s elite by overcoming some of the sport’s traditional heavyweights. Along with Curaçao and Paraguay, they demonstrated that the gap between football’s established giants and emerging nations is narrowing rapidly.
The knockout rounds, which arrived much earlier in the expanded format, injected excitement and intensity into the tournament. More importantly, this World Cup reinforced the fact that football is becoming truly global, steadily extending its reach beyond its traditional powerhouses in Europe and South America.
My assessment of the expanded World Cup format is that it brought with it both positives and negatives. Greater representation and opportunities for smaller nations will undoubtedly contribute to the sport’s growth across newer regions, and that is
unquestionably a positive. However, there were also noticeable drawbacks. The quality of several group stage matches was uneven, while the larger number of qualifying teams reduced the sense of urgency that has traditionally defined the group stage.
The 48 team format undoubtedly made the World Cup more inclusive and global, yet inclusivity came at the expense of exclusivity. While the tournament unearthed new stories and fresh heroes, it sacrificed some of the intensity that has always made every World Cup match feel significant. The gamble may have worked commercially, but from a footballing perspective, the verdict remains divided.
This World Cup certainly had no shortage of heroes. Lamine Yamal, Messi, Rodri, Mbappé, Haaland and Achraf Hakimi all showcased their immense class and quality. Spain’s collective brilliance made them deserved champions, while Morocco’s consistency across successive World Cups confirmed their place among the world’s elite. Cape Verde was undoubtedly the fairy tale story of the tournament. The goalkeepers who excelled in penalty shootouts added further drama, while the coaches of emerging nations maximised limited resources to produce memorable performances. Above all, the fans with their colourful support across three host nations created an atmosphere that made the tournament a truly unforgettable celebration of football
Having said that, as with every World Cup, there were disappointments. Brazil, hampered by injuries and questionable tactics, failed to live up to expectations. Portugal followed closely behind. What many expected to be a heroic swansong for Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately turned into a campaign of frustration. Ronaldo himself would probably be the first to admit that Portugal simply wasn’t good enough.
VAR and refereeing also remained major talking points throughout the tournament. While technology exists to eliminate obvious errors, it’s inconsistent application left players, managers and supporters frustrated. More often than not, VAR debates overshadowed the football itself and took some of the sheen off otherwise memorable contests.
Tactically, this World Cup highlighted several evolving trends. High pressing has become almost universal among elite teams, while midfield control increasingly outweighed individual brilliance. Equally encouraging was the emergence of a new generation of young stars, who took centre stage with remarkable confidence and maturity.
For me, the match of the tournament was Argentina versus Egypt. It was one of the greatest comeback stories of the World Cup. Had it not been for some contentious refereeing decisions, the game could have produced an even more nerve-racking finish. Nevertheless, it remains my standout match of the tournament.
Was this the greatest World Cup ever? Certainly not. Was it a failure? Absolutely not. It was a tournament that successfully opened football’s doors wider than ever before. The football was good, occasionally brilliant, though perhaps not consistently unforgettable. Yet history may well remember the 2026 World Cup as the tournament that changed the competition forever.
This World Cup has undoubtedly accelerated football’s global expansion. If FIFA can learn from the shortcomings of this edition while preserving its spirit of inclusivity, future tournaments will become even richer spectacles. The beautiful game has never stopped evolving, and if 2026 is any indication, its future promises to be even brighter.
Until next time, CIAO
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