The World Cup was predicted to be too long, with too many uninteresting matches. But it's already clear: this World Cup is a success

The expanded 48-team World Cup has defied early skepticism, proving to be a resounding success and a truly global spectacle. Predictions of uninteresting matches have been overturned by the emergence of smaller football nations and their competitive performances against established powers. This shift reflects changing dynamics in both football and geopolitics, signaling the rise of the Global South and a recalibration of Western influence.

A prime example of this phenomenon is Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Vozinha. The 40-year-old, who only turned professional at 25, became an overnight sensation after heroic displays against Spain and Uruguay. His newfound global fame, symbolized by millions of new social media followers and interviews with international media, mirrors the tournament's broader narrative of unexpected success stories from debutant nations like Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curaçao, and Cape Verde itself.

UEFA President Alexander Ceferin had initially criticized the expansion, anticipating a deluge of uninteresting games. However, the tournament has showcased the opposite, with nations like DR Congo and Haiti, participating for the first time since 1974, experiencing a resurgence. This inclusivity has made the World Cup more globally representative than ever before, challenging the historical dominance of Western and predominantly white South American teams.

The tournament's expansion also highlights existing inequalities, particularly concerning the challenges faced by fans of these emerging nations, such as the difficulties faced by Cape Verdean fans in obtaining US visas. Historically, football's World Cup was largely an affair for Western and select South American teams, with non-white players often facing racism, as exemplified by Uruguayan player José Leandro Andrade in the 1920s. The current tournament, however, marks a significant step towards a more inclusive and representative global football landscape.