More games, more controversy - good and bad of biggest World Cup yet

What the report says

BBC Sport reviewed the expanded 2026 World Cup ahead of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, assessing whether Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s promise of the largest sporting event yet was matched by the reality. The tournament, staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada, was the first men’s World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches, bringing debuts for nations including Curacao, Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

According to BBC Sport, the larger field produced memorable group-stage stories, particularly Cape Verde’s run to the knockout rounds, but also created competitive issues. With only 16 teams eliminated after 72 group matches and eight third-placed teams advancing, some fixtures had limited jeopardy. The article also said Fifa’s new seeding approach helped keep the highest-ranked teams apart, with Argentina and Spain positioned so they could not meet before the final.

The report highlighted several controversies around tournament operations. Mandatory three-minute hydration breaks were presented by Fifa as a player-welfare measure, but BBC Sport noted they also created advertising opportunities for broadcasters and gave coaches tactical stoppages. Refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina’s efforts to reduce time-wasting were judged to have improved match flow, with slightly more ball-in-play time achieved in shorter overall matches than in 2022.

Ticketing and politics also featured prominently. BBC Sport reported Fifa announced near-full stadium capacity and a record attendance after the quarter-finals despite high prices, while ticket practices drew scrutiny from New York and New Jersey officials. The article also pointed to visa and immigration issues, Iran-related restrictions, and political intervention in disciplinary matters as signs of a tournament shaped by more than football.