Spain, the reigning European champions, were the deserving winners
| Photo Credit:
Dylan Martinez
The quadrennial football extravaganza ended on Sunday with Spain edging out Argentina in a cagey final — the winning goal coming deep in extra time, thanks to Ferran Torres’ wonder volley. Spain, the reigning European champions, were the deserving winners as they were by far the best team during the tournament.Argentina, who were in the finals due to a combination of Messi’s genius, grit and some lucky refereeing decisions at crucial moments going their way, had to settle for the runners-up place. There was no fairy tale ending for Lionel Messi. The tournament actually went off well amidst controversies, in a world where nations and blocs are locked in hostility, if not war. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were a menace, but the ‘beautiful game’ prevailed. What brought the tournament to life (although this holds true for earlier world cups as well) was the brilliance of less regarded teams. FIFA’s move to play to an expanded 48-team format really worked here. Cabo Verde, DR Congo and Curacao made a mark by challenging the giants. Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan could not have participated but for the expanded format. Debutants Cabo Verde gave defending champions Argentina a run for their money by pushing them to extra time. They held champions Spain and two-time World Cup winners Uruguay to a draw. Egypt, though hardly minnows, almost knocked out defenders Argentina, in what was quite easily the World Cup’s most exciting match, one that would sadly be remembered more for some of its refereeing decisions. The tournament brought in a rich harvest of goals (nearly three per match), with the participation of more countries bringing extra flair.The tournament, held in the US for the second time, with Canada and Mexico being co-hosts, did see some unpleasant events. The worst of them was on immigration. The crippling visa and travel restrictions imposed on Iran and the denial of entry to Somalian referee Omar Artan at the start of the tournament left a sour taste. There was also the bizarre incident of US President Donald Trump apparently intervening on behalf of the US team in getting a match ban for the US player Falorin Balogun rescinded. The FIFA responded without any conviction whatsoever.There was an outcry over refereeing in some games and the steep pricing of tickets. However, what surprised most were the stadium turnouts despite the eye-popping ticket prices (courtesy ‘surge pricing’) — ranging from $140-$2,375 for group matches and $8,680 for the finals. These can hardly be regarded as an advertisement for football’s ‘democratic’ spirit. FIFA claims that the revenues generated by this World Cup would top $15 billion, which is double of the $7.57 billion generated during the 2019-22 cycle. National federations would be happy to hear that. However, the intersection of sport, commerce and politics is cause for unease. Football too is kicked around, as it were. But such is the game that it weaves a spell, despite everything.Published on July 20, 2026
