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Spain's forward Ferran Torres raises the trophy as players celebrate on a stage at Cibeles Square in Madrid on July 20, 2026, after winning their second World Cup title. [AFP]
Driven by an enlarged 48-team format, the 2026 World Cup created a stadium attendance high while FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said that TV viewership broke the previous record "many, many times over".
Speaking Friday, the president of world football's governing body acknowledged that the records had been boosted because "this is the largest World Cup in history by far, by many times, actually, welcoming 16 additional teams".
But, he added, it "has exceeded all expectations".
