World Cup 2026 Takes Over North America With 48 Teams as 5-Week Tournament Nears Champion
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
World Cup 2026 Takes Over North America With 48 Teams as 5-Week Tournament Nears Champion
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Summary
Five weeks of World Cup play have turned Canada, Mexico and the United States into a continent-wide soccer stage, with the expanded 48-team tournament drawing global stars and fans across North America.
June 11 marked the opening in Mexico City, and matches since then have spread the spectacle from Toronto to Guadalajara, filling stadiums usually used by NFL teams and spawning watch parties from Harlem to Cape Verde.
The tournament has mixed celebration with friction—bringing singing, dancing and euphoria alongside protests, controversy and tears—as the field was steadily cut down toward a champion.
Beyond the stadiums, what is the World Cup's real, lasting legacy for North America's infrastructure, culture, and communities?
Has the expanded 48-team, three-nation World Cup format created a better tournament or a logistical nightmare for the future of soccer?
After the World Cup's final whistle, which host cities truly won economically, and which were simply left with the bill?
FIFA World Cup 2026: $13 Billion Windfall, Expanded Format, and the High Cost for Host Cities
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered thrilling matches and historic moments, with Argentina and Spain reaching the final after dramatic semifinals. The expanded 48-team format allowed new nations to participate but drew criticism for creating more one-sided games and raising concerns about player welfare. While FIFA celebrated record profits, host cities struggled with lower-than-expected tourism and logistical challenges, highlighting a gap between FIFA’s financial gains and local benefits. The tournament also faced controversies over refereeing, new rules, and incidents of discrimination, making it a global event shaped by both sporting drama and complex social issues.