2026 World Cup hailed as history's biggest and most successful, a dance of millions

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, beamed with pride in New York, celebrating the 2026 World Cup as a resounding success that silenced doubters. He declared it the "most extraordinary event in the history of humanity," surpassing all previous sporting, social, and cultural gatherings.

Infantino addressed widespread skepticism, including concerns about empty stadiums, visa issues, and teams' competitiveness. He asserted that the opposite occurred, with "the power of the game and the magic of football" conquering the United States, transforming it into a soccer-loving nation.

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Surely you have read many skeptical comments and criticisms: that the stadiums would be empty, that visas would not be granted, that the teams would not be able to compete, and many other things. And exactly the opposite happened. We silenced all the critics. The power of the game and the magic of football prevailed. Football conquered the United States. Today, the United States is a soccer country.

The tournament, expanded to 48 teams and 104 matches, is considered by many the most successful World Cup ever. It set a new record for goals, with 308 scored across all games, averaging 2.96 per match. This expansion, championed by Infantino, aimed to include more nations and elevate the overall competition level, with FIFA highlighting the performance of teams like Cape Verde.

While the extended format and increased number of matches drew criticism for being too long, the competition ultimately saw favorites reach the final stages. Stars like Lionel Messi delivered memorable performances, with the Argentine player scoring 8 goals and reaching another final, alongside top contenders like Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane.

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It has been the most extraordinary event in the history of humanity. It was not only the biggest World Cup; it was the biggest sporting, social, and cultural event that humanity has experienced.