The World Cup hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the United States proved to be a resounding success, despite initial concerns and challenges. Although the expansion to 48 teams, visa complications, and high ticket prices drew criticism, the tournament’s commencement brought forth an atmosphere of immense excitement. Attendance figures saw a significant surge, doubling compared to the 1994 edition, with over 6 million spectators filling the stadiums. Furthermore, the impressive performances by debutant smaller nations effectively addressed initial skepticism regarding the quality of the expanded competition.
The tournament was also characterized by a deep sense of camaraderie between fans and host city residents. A notable highlight was the warm reception given to the Algerian team in Lawrence, Kansas, which included several football clinics. This event clearly demonstrated the burgeoning popularity of football within the United States. However, the tournament was not without its controversies, as criticisms were directed at FIFA regarding certain administrative decisions and immigration challenges faced by some match officials.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the event as a triumph that exceeded all expectations. The tournament achieved record-breaking figures in terms of both revenue and goals scored compared to previous editions. Reflecting on this success, Infantino indicated that discussions are underway to potentially increase the number of participating teams to 64 for the 2030 tournament. The 2030 World Cup, marking the centenary of the competition, is scheduled to be hosted across six countries spanning three continents.
