FIFA President: 2026 World Cup Shattered All Records

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the 2026 World Cup as an unprecedented success, stating it not only broke but "shattered" all possible records. Following Spain's victory over Argentina in a packed final at the New York New Jersey stadium, Infantino expressed immense satisfaction with the tournament's outcome.

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I feel fantastic. I feel wonderful, satisfied with the incredible success of this FIFA World Cup.

"This World Cup not only broke all possible records, it shattered them, destroyed every record," Infantino declared, emphasizing the competition's success across all key metrics. Nearly seven million spectators filled the stadiums throughout the event, while a global audience exceeding six billion people tuned in to watch the matches. The tournament also surpassed the 300-goal mark, setting a new scoring record.

Infantino also underscored the social impact of the World Cup, highlighting how images of fans in stadiums and host cities demonstrated football's unique ability to unite people. "Football at the World Cup is not just a competition; it actually exists to unite the world and perhaps make the world a little better," he said.

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This World Cup not only broke all possible records, it shattered them, destroyed every record.

The FIFA president acknowledged standout players like Rodri, named the tournament's best player, alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham. He also noted the emergence of new stars and surprising narratives that defined the competition. Looking ahead, FIFA is preparing for the 2030 World Cup, which will mark the tournament's centenary and be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with special matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. Discussions are also underway regarding the future format of the 48-team tournament and potential rule changes.

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Football at the World Cup is not just a competition; it actually exists to unite the world and perhaps make the world a little better.

Despite the celebratory tone, the report notes that fifty Members of the European Parliament have called on FIFA to investigate Infantino's conduct over alleged breaches of political neutrality rules.

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You cannot write the script for a perfect World Cup the way this one unfolded. I think we need to invent new vocabulary, new words to define the success of this tournament.