FIFA World Cup Delivers

Despite criticism in regards to ticket pricing, increased team numbers and the spending of government funds, the 2026 men's FIFA World Cup appears to have delivered as the prestigious tournament heads towards the quarter-final stage.

The matches have been well-attended and fans have been treated to some exciting football, with many upsets turning pre-conceived ideas on their head. The progression of underdogs Cabo Verde and DR Congo into the knockout stage, and the once powerful football nation of Germany's exit from the elimination round of 32, being prime examples.

Prior to the FIFA tournament, the governing body received plenty of criticism in relation to the new 48-team concept, with many stating that the increase in national team numbers was nothing more than a money-grab from FIFA.

While there may well be an increase in revenue, the move from a 32-team format (first played at France 1998), to a 48-team schedule has proven to be well-received by football fans with fantastic atmospheres at all of the host cities. Football supporters from all around the globe have descended on the USA, Mexico and Canada with the enthusiasm expected at a world cup, and the gratitude towards the hosts for the facilities provided.

Large crowds, such as this one at the Belgium v Egypt in Seattle, USA, have been common at the FIFA World Cup. Image: Wiki Commons.

The price of a FIFA World Cup match ticket also raised alarm bells in the lead up the competition, but most games have been well-attended, if not sell-outs, and so-called "everyday fans" have been willing to shell-out upwards of $900 for a basic ticket.

To further illustrate the popularity of the world cup, sections of local communities that voiced concerns over public funds spent in the lead up to the cup have been drowned out by the excitement and colour of match-day celebrations from local and visiting fans, alike.

Any FIFA World Cup reveals an emerging football nation's ability on the global stage, and the 2026 version has been no different. The performance of the aforementioned Cabo Verde and DR Congo, was matched and then surpassed by fellow African nations Egypt and Morroco, with the later entering into a quarter-final match against France after defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the round of 16.

African nations have not been the only source of upsets, with Norway defeating the five-time world cup winning Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16, thanks to a brace of goals from the formidable striker, Erling Haaland. Norway have not competed at a FIFA World Cup since 1998, and along with some African nations have displayed that football potency is not concentrated to the traditional powers in soccer.

A giant football at Vancouver's Science World stands watch over the FIFA World Cup venue, B.C. Place. Football precincts like this have been a place for football fans to gather during the 2026 tournament. Image: Wiki Commons

This movement in football is not confined to this world cup, as can be seen with the decline of Italy as a football powerhouse, but the combining of talent with state-of-the-art facilities and top-class coaching, and participation by individuals in the best domestic competitions means an upset in world football is always on the cards.

At the time of writing, world football heavyweights France, Spain and Argentina remain in the competition, with Argentina still to meet Egypt in a round of 16 match in Atlanta. England could well be considered a "football heavyweight"; the game originated in that country, and they are the hosts of arguably the world's best domestic football competition, the English Premier league (EPL), but they have not lifted the FIFA World Cup since 1966.

With the final scheduled for 20 July, there is a lot of action and drama still to come, as the quarter-final and semi-final stages unfold, but with most of the tournament behind us, and the majority of teams having returned home to plan their next FIFA World Cup campaign, the world's football show piece looks certain to be a major success.