Just like that, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to a close, and we’re left with no more than memories — and the return of MLS, of course. With the world’s greatest soccer showcase all wrapped up, it’s only right that we take one last look at this historic tournament. Whether you were root-root-rooting for the home team(s) or supporting one of the other 45 nations, this competition brought the whole world together — as it always does — in beautiful fashion. Let’s give it the sendoff it deserves.  

By the Numbers

Whenever I try to wrap my head around something as huge as this World Cup has been, I’ve found that it’s often best to start with the numbers. So let’s do that. 

We watched a total of 104 games (40 more than any World Cup before), spread between 72 group matches and 32 knockout clashes. We saw a record 308 goals scored, setting a blistering pace of 2.96 goals per game. That’s the highest tournament average since 1958, and with just 35 matches being played back in the ‘58 edition, it shows how consistently exciting this expanded tournament really was. Only one of those goals was conceded by the new champions, Spain, who managed to lift the trophy behind seven clean sheets in eight games. That’s the best defensive record ever recorded at a World Cup. 

Of the 48 teams that represented their nations, four made their tournament debuts (Jordan, Curaçao, Cabo Verde, and Uzbekistan). The lowest-ranked nation at this year’s World Cup was Haiti, who came into the summer ranked 88th in FIFA’s men’s rankings. Though they finished with zero points and a negative goal difference, they played with heart and never backed down against the likes of Brazil, Scotland, and Morocco in one of the toughest groups. The FIFA rankings were once again given a dose of credibility when we reached the semifinals, where the top four ranked nations were — in fact — the last four standing (France, England, Argentina, and Spain). 

A total of 1,248 players made up the 48 rosters in attendance, with 891 of them experiencing their first World Cup. Exactly 45 of those players play their club soccer in Major League Soccer, including the likes of Michael Boxall (New Zealand) and Carlos Harvey (Panama). More than 25 years separated the oldest player at the tournament from the youngest, as Scotland’s Craig Gordon (43 years, 162 days) represented the early 1980s, and Mexico’s Gilberto Mora (17 years, 162 days) gave the late 2000s some time in the spotlight. 

The latest goal scored in the whole tournament was coincidentally the last one, Ferran Torres’ 106’ goal to win the trophy. Paraguay’s strike against Türkiye after just 64 seconds was the fastest and also proved to be a game-winner about an hour and a half later. Kylian Mbappe took home the Golden Boot behind his incredible 10-goal performance, following a tight battle with Lionel Messi (8), Norway’s Erling Haaland (7), and England’s Jude Bellingham (7). 

The more you dig, the more numbers you’ll find — it never really ends. Unfortunately, attention spans, World Cups, and articles on MNUFC.com all have endings, so we’ll put a pin in our numerical journey there. Feel free to dive deeper as you wish, and please share your findings with everyone. 

Lasting Impressions

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, I was skeptical of a few things. First, I thought the larger format would prove to be an unnecessary, clunky change that would ultimately muddy the waters of what was already an entertaining competition. Second, I continue to resent the distribution of World Cup qualifying spots, as UEFA had 16 representatives — six more than the second-highest (CAF had 10). Finally — and this piggybacks off the format change — I can’t stand seeing third-place teams advance from the Group Stage. 

With all of the dust either settled or very nearly so, I’ve had time to really think about my initial hesitations. Let me start with this: The expanded format was, regardless of the reasoning behind it, an overall positive change. Tens of millions more people got to cheer for their nation’s finest soccer players, and the passion of some of the tournament’s less frequent participants gave every match renewed life and contagious joy. I don’t know how to feel about the rumors of further expansion to 64 teams, but if that shift is anything like this one, it will be far more good than bad for the game. 

As for my second grievance, I did some digging. The original field of 48 teams was broken up as follows:

• UEFA (Europe): 16 teams

• CAF (Africa): 10 teams

• AFC (Asia): 9 teams

• Concacaf (North/Central America): 6

• CONMEBOL (South America): 6

• OFC (Oceania): 1 

If we look first at the Group Stage results and work forward from there, I may have been proven wrong once again — but maybe not. CAF led the way with 90% of teams advancing to the Round of 32, but only 20% took the next step. Morocco was the last remaining CAF team, and they were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals. UEFA was next, with 81.25% of teams advancing to the Round of 32, 43.75% getting to the Round of 16, and three of the four semi-finalists being European in the end. CONMEBOL was the only other confederation represented in the latter stages of the tournament, but after the Round of 16, Argentina was their only remaining representative. 

Concacaf had a so-so showing, with the three host nations carrying the torch before being swiftly extinguished in the Round of 16. Outside of the OFC (whose only representative was New Zealand), the AFC had the worst statistical showing this summer, with just 22.2% of their representatives getting out of their respective groups. 

If we use performance to determine confederation qualification allocation (tongue twister for you), then UEFA deserves their extra spots, and the rest of the world likewise fell somewhat in line with current allocation. However, I still believe there’s something to be said for divvying up qualification spots based not on soccer history or performance, but on more objective, non-competitive metrics like population distribution, number of nations in each confederation, or some standard allocation that shuffles the process altogether. 

European teams have historically received more opportunities to play at this level, which could explain their comfortability on the stage and ability to perform at the highest level. Of course you’ll have more teams get further if you have more teams with a chance to do so, right? That’s not to discount their skills and accomplishments, but merely to suggest that if everyone were given an equal chance, greatness could emerge elsewhere as well. 

Now, my final point of contention: Third-place teams. In this case, I think performance tells us all we need to know, as this issue is about the quality of current competition, rather than the accumulation of generational development. Of the eight third-place teams that went to the Round of 32, seven lost immediately. Paraguay stood tall as the only one to win a knockout game, taking Germany to penalties before falling to France in another tight game in the Round of 16. While the likes of Senegal, DR Congo, and Ghana all put up good fights, the third-place teams ultimately proved that they were almost good enough to be in the knockouts — but not quite. I rest my case.

But enough about the issues. Instead of picking it apart, let’s finish with a flourish. From the USMNT’s elimination in the Round of 16, Cabo Verde’s miraculous underdog story, and Spain’s truly inspiring style of play, I’ve personally experienced another rollercoaster of emotions this month, just like every other fan who tuned in. We said goodbye to legends of the game, watched new stars announce themselves with breakout performances, and generally enjoyed what was a pivotal moment in our favorite sport’s history. 

Whether the World Cup has 64 teams or just 16, it’s a tournament that inspires and unites, and that sounds awfully close to our club’s mission statement. It may not be perfect, but I think I speak for more than just myself when I say that this tournament continues to be a source of inspiration and joy. What a ride it’s been.