World Cup 2026: The Spirit of the Game

The greatest show on earth is bigger than ever with 48 teams and 104 matches to be played over 39 days. For the first time, three countries are co-hosting the FIFA World Cup and across 16 cities. Not only is 2026 going to be the most-watched World Cup ever but it is also the most globalised given the range of national teams participating. How many people can point to Curaçao on the map? Then there is the North American market which means a windfall for FIFA and resources that can be channelled to aspiring football cultures. However, the expansion of the tournament has raised concerns about the quality of football awaiting us.

A bloated World Cup could mean a boring World Cup—at least till the late knockout stages. It also means there is no real ‘Group of Death’ in 2026 and eight of the 12 third-placed teams will advance. But FIFA has introduced new anti-time-wasting rules which could speed up the game. Moreover, this is the first World Cup with full AI integration and the most technologically advanced ball. The World Cup has never been divorced from politics but this time there is the added shadow of geopolitics, with Iran a guest and the US a host. The Trump administration’s immigration and visa strictures, with selective targeting of fans based on nationality, may violate FIFA’s rules but the sport’s global governing body has chosen not to protest. After all, once the football begins, a lot is forgotten and forgiven.