FIFA World Cup: Five key takeaways from 2026 edition won by Spain

The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded with Spain claiming the title after defeating Argentina in the final. The tournament, held across multiple nations including the United States as a co-host, marked the largest World Cup in history by team count.

The expansion from the traditional 32-team format to 48 teams generated significant pre-tournament discussion about potential drawbacks. However, the format ultimately proved popular with fans and stakeholders. The additional teams and matches provided emerging football nations with greater competitive opportunities, and the quality of play demonstrated that the performance gap between traditional powerhouses and developing football nations has narrowed considerably.

Debut participants and overachieving teams captured audience attention throughout the tournament. Cape Verde, competing in their first World Cup, earned widespread fan support by drawing with Spain and Uruguay while pushing Argentina to extra time. This performance exemplified how expanded participation benefits the global game.

For the eventual finalists, the 48-team format required only one additional match compared to the 32-team structure used since 1998. FIFA defended the expansion as necessary for generating revenue to support football development worldwide, arguing that the minimal additional burden on top competitors was outweighed by the expanded opportunities for emerging nations.

Discussion has now shifted toward a potential 64-team World Cup for 2030. Such an expansion would avoid increasing matches for finalists, as only the top two teams would advance from the expanded group stage. This structure could further democratize participation while maintaining competitive balance for the tournament's elite teams.