Sport
Positive reflections on the World Cup
It was a tough World Cup to endure in some ways, but in others, a critical reminder of what matters in football and can never be taken away.
Far from the first edition of FIFA’s showpiece event to be shrouded in controversy – in fact, that happens so often it feels like a prerequisite – 2026 had its own fair share of uplifting stories too. Ticket prices and political interference will unfortunately live long in the memory, but Cape Verde’s rise gave credence to one of the factors which initially caused ructions when it was announced, the increase to 48 teams.
As soon as the extended tournament was announced, it was met with derision. Even now, there is no getting away from the obvious sense that FIFA brought it in for nefarious means, but it didn’t create the sort of gulf in class many expected. Even Curacao scoring against Germany, before obviously going on to concede seven in the game, gave them their moment.
It can be perceived as patronising to give these teams credit for merely competing. Yet, the underlying point, particularly driven home by Cape Verde being the only team to keep a clean sheet against champions Spain before giving as good as they got against Uruguay and Argentina, is that there is even more talent across the world than many believe.
The fact that Roberto “Pico” Lopes, the Irish born Shamrock Rovers defender, became part of their journey via a Linkedin message really sums up the power of the World Cup. Players like Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe may steal the headlines, but there are beautiful, everyday stories which prevail, too.
There were so many brilliant games, too. Ecuador’s effervescence against Germany showed the brilliant power and energy of South American football at its very best, before Paraguay knocked Julian Nagelsmann’s side out on penalties. Norway lived up to their billing as a dark horse, embarrassing Brazil in the last 16 and taking England all the way in the quarter-final.
Erling Haaland showed why he is one of the best strikers in the world, scoring seven goals, but his country’s rise is about much more than just him. After 28 years away from the biggest stage, it feels like they will be a regular fixture, with a growing reputation among the current squad with players like Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup.
Meanwhile, the inquest is underway for Brazil and Carlo Ancelotti. Their link-up felt like a match made in heaven, but for the first time in a long time, the talent pool in football’s most iconic nation is under scrutiny. Poor performances on such a level often lead to huge audits on a country’s general approach, but that seems rare for the five-time winners. They do seem quite a way off making it six, though.
Ultimately, Spain’s win felt like the right outcome. The final, despite only seeing them win 1-0 against Argentina, was one of the most one-sided affairs ever seen. Four years on from having the world seemingly behind them, Messi and his countrymen were lambasted for negative tactics, over-aggression and downright cheating, with more than one suggestion that referees and governance favoured them.
There will be so many negative stories that last in the memory from this summer, but plenty of good ones too. Modern football is becoming increasingly segregated from its working-class roots and FIFA is actively trying to drive that wedge.
But the beautiful irony is that the sport itself can’t be touched. It means so much to so many, and the World Cup will always be its greatest amplifier.
