The 2026 World Cup: A Festival of Football Across Three Nations
A review of the 2026 World Cup: 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, culminating in Spain's historic victory.
With Spain’s triumph, the 2026 World Cup concluded, leaving behind a historic edition in terms of scale: the first World Cup jointly hosted by three countries—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—and the largest format ever, with 48 teams playing 104 matches across 16 host cities.
A Kickoff at the Estadio Azteca
The tournament began on June 11 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca, a venue steeped in football history that hosted a World Cup for the third time after 1970 and 1986. From the first whistle, matches were distributed across venues in all three host nations, in a logistical feat unprecedented for FIFA.
A Different Experience
Beyond the sport, this edition stood out for its unprecedented production: halftime shows with large-scale productions, ticket prices never before seen at a World Cup, and a spectacle experience closer to major American entertainment events than to traditional football traditions.
Spain’s Coronation
The final was held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Spain was crowned world champion. The “Roja,” led by head coach Luis de la Fuente and standout players such as Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro, concluded the tournament with a blend of possession-based play and efficiency in decisive moments.
An Era of Change
With the logistics of three countries, a festive atmosphere in the host cities, and Spain as the central figure in the finale, the 2026 World Cup emerges as a tournament that expanded the limits of the format and the fan experience, marking a before-and-after moment in how the World Cup is experienced.
Sources: Infobae.