Former Catholic pontiff, Pope John Paul II, once said: “Among all unimportant subjects, football is by far the most important”. Without any doubt, football is a global crowd puller, and the game’s most amazing spectacle is the FIFA World Cup.
Since Uruguay hosted the first edition of the World Cup in 1930, during the era of revered FIFA President Jules Rimet, the competition has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. From a 13- team event in 1930, it grew to become a 48-team affair. Today, the World Cup commands a global TV audience in excess of one billion.
Sadly, however, many experts are of the view that the 2026 edition was not really a good advertisement for the game. They argue that, from an over-expanded format to unnecessary commercialization, logistical confusion, and creeping political influence, the 2026 World Cup might actually be the worst in history.
The most obvious change to the 2026 Mundial was its expansion from 32 to 48 teams—the largest in history. Though FIFA said it was designed to develop the game, it actually harmed it. With 104 matches spread over weeks, the tournament risked fatiguing spectators as fixtures piled up. Not every match felt important—and that is a problem for a tournament built on drama.
