The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina marks the end of the biggest tournament in history. On Sunday, a record 104 games will have been played across six weeks and three countries. The expanded 48-team format brought surprises, with Cape Verde, Congo, and Curaçao making headlines. Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup scorer. Video reviews sparked controversy, and high-tech balls led to disallowed goals. Despite high ticket prices, fans filled stadiums. Hydration breaks were unpopular, and Iran’s participation was politically charged. Former President Trump’s involvement raised questions about political interference.
Source: https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/07/the-biggest-takeaways-from-the-2026-world-cup/