The Grand Theater of Football Ends with Spain on Top

The longest World Cup in history concluded with Spain claiming the title, capping a tournament that served as a stage for national hysterias and myths, and prompted introspection beyond the sport. The final itself was a multifaceted spectacle, placing Spain at the pinnacle of global football.

As Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano once said, "Football is the mirror of the world." This 104-match World Cup offered ample time for the world to gaze into that reflection, revealing both virtues and shames. Nations like Norway, with Erling Haaland, displayed Viking pride, while Mexico embodied hope. Conversely, the eliminations of teams like the Netherlands, Turkey, South Korea, and Germany triggered national crises, prompting discussions about lost qualities not just on the field but within the entire national collective.

Cabo Verde, the smallest nation to reach the knockout stage, emerged as a modern David against World Cup Goliaths such as Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina. The sheer scale of global engagement was evident when 2.7 billion people, two-thirds of the planet's population, watched simultaneously as Sidney Lopes Cabral scored a dramatic extra-time equalizer for Cabo Verde against Argentina. This moment became one of the most-watched sporting events ever.

However, the tournament also exposed FIFA's commercialism. Dubbed "the World Cup of the 1%" due to exorbitant ticket prices and resale engineering, it also featured hydration breaks that fans, who booed them, perceived as opportunities for more advertising, despite official justifications. FIFA President Gianni Infantino faced criticism throughout, with boos during the medal ceremony making it difficult to discern if they were directed at him or U.S. President Donald Trump, who was also present.

The final saw a convergence of global figures, including leaders from Mexico, Canada, and Spain, who momentarily set aside political tensions to share the event. Celebrities like Tom Cruise, BTS, and Shakira also attended, with ticket prices reportedly reaching up to $40,000. Infantino proclaimed FIFA the "provider of happiness for humanity," though this sentiment was not universally shared, particularly in countries like Iran, Egypt, or England. The tournament also marked the likely end of World Cup careers for legends such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Luka Modrić.

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Football is the mirror of the world.