An article summarized by CNBC:
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal after Argentina were reduced to 10 players following Enzo Fernández's red card. The tournament also featured the World Cup's first-ever halftime show, with performances from artists including Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira, though the extended break drew criticism from fans and commentators.
Off the field, the expanded 48-team World Cup became the most lucrative tournament in FIFA history. The competition grew from 64 to 104 matches over six weeks, creating more broadcasting, ticketing, and sponsorship opportunities. Despite concerns over ticket prices, some exceeding $10,000, stadiums were nearly sold out throughout the group stage, and FIFA expects to generate more than $9 billion in revenue. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is already considering expanding the tournament to 64 teams in 2030.
Infantino's leadership and close relationship with President Donald Trump also drew attention during the tournament. Trump played a prominent role as the U.S. co-hosted the event with Canada and Mexico, and his ties with FIFA came under scrutiny over gifts and his involvement in appealing a U.S. player's suspension. Looking ahead, FIFA plans to invest billions into global football development while preparing for an even larger 2030 World Cup, which will celebrate the tournament's 100th anniversary.
