
Spain clinches second World Cup title as FIFA looks ahead to expanded tournament
Spain edged Argentina 1-0 in extra time to claim their second World Cup, while FIFA reports record revenue and charts an ambitious expansion for 2030.
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Spain edged Argentina 1-0 in extra time to claim their second World Cup, while FIFA reports record revenue and charts an ambitious expansion for 2030.

Norway’s football association may file an ethics complaint to FIFA following the reversal of a World Cup ban for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, a move sparked by former President Donald Trump’s intervention.

The 2026 World Cup combined record revenues with stark controversies, from private‑jet travel to political interventions, shaping a complex legacy for Gianni Infantino.

Spain secured the 2026 World Cup title, becoming the first nation to hold both men's and women's world championships, while the event set attendance records and sparked debates over governance and human rights.

The 2026 World Cup, co‑hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, delivered a record‑breaking tournament marked by Spain's historic double, soaring attendance and a wave of criticism over commercial and human‑rights issues.

The 2026 World Cup, hosted on home soil, turned the United States into a soccer carnival, with stadiums filled to capacity and millions more glued to their screens. Spain claimed their second championship, edging Argentina 1‑0 in a tense final. Forward Ferran Torres, a key figure in the Spanish attack, helped seal the victory with a decisive strike. England’s third‑place showdown against France turned into a goal fest, as Bukayo Saka completed a hat‑trick to guide his side to a 6‑4 win. Across the pitch, Son Heung‑min’s relentless runs kept the French defense on edge, underscoring the tournament’s star‑studded spectacle. The MLS made a splash with Los Angeles FC’s 3‑0 triumph over the Los Angeles Galaxy, a match that also highlighted the contributions of Denis Bouanga, whose presence added depth to the victorious side. Beyond the matches, the event acted as a catalyst for soccer’s growth in the United States, drawing in casual fans who had previously overlooked the sport and showing them the drama that can unfold on the world stage. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking after the final, hinted at a bold future, suggesting that a 64‑team format could be on the horizon, a move that would further cement soccer’s expanding footprint in North America.

The first World Cup hosted on three continents introduced several U.S.-style experiments, from mandatory cooling periods to spectacle‑driven intermissions, prompting officials and fans to wonder which will endure.

U.S. Soccer Federation vice‑president Nathán Goldberg argues that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's close ties to former President Donald Trump undermine the sport's core values and risk turning soccer into an autocratic, hyper‑commercial enterprise.

Norway’s football association is poised to lodge an ethics complaint to FIFA following the unexpected lifting of a ban on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, a move sparked by a call from President Donald Trump. The decision, which has drawn criticism from LaLiga chief Javier Tebas and raised questions about Gianni Infantino’s leadership, will be weighed by the NFF board on August 6.

From political meddling to social fallout, the 2026 World Cup left a legacy shaped more by scandal than by sport.

A Mexican‑American writer recounts his journey from indifference to devotion, tracing the moments that led him to embrace soccer during the 2022 World Cup and the cultural insights he gathered along the way.

The 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey ended with Spain edging Argentina, but the match was marred by a red‑card uproar, boos for Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump, and questions about the tournament's legacy.

During the medal ceremony, Lionel Messi failed to acknowledge President Donald Trump, a moment that ignited discussion about respect, emotion, and the end of an era.

The Norwegian Football Association may file an ethics complaint to FIFA concerning the body’s decision to suspend the ban on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, a move sparked by former President Donald Trump’s appeal to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

The 48‑team edition delivered dramatic upsets, a dominant European presence and a triumphant host narrative, while sparking debate over officiating and sportsmanship.

Norway’s football association is weighing an ethics complaint against FIFA after the governing body suspended and then lifted a one‑match ban for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, a move sparked by former President Donald Trump’s intervention.

The Norwegian Football Association may lodge a formal complaint to FIFA over its decision to suspend the one‑match ban of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, a move sparked by a phone call from President Donald Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

The 2026 World Cup delivered record‑breaking participation, thrilling matches, and off‑field debates that will influence the sport for years to come.

From coast‑to‑coast in the United States, through Canada and Mexico, the expanded World Cup captivated billions, showcasing star power, underdog triumphs and a final that topped Spanish‑language ratings.

FIFA's proposal to double the World Cup to 64 teams sparks debate over logistics, finance and competitive integrity.

The president of South America’s governing body wants the 2030 World Cup to double its size, a proposal that has sparked both enthusiasm and criticism.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a move that would reshape the competition's economics and global footprint while sparking resistance from key continental bodies.

Recent events reveal how Donald Trump’s interventions are blurring the line between sport and politics, prompting concerns over the future of impartial competition.

Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, accusing the governing body of harming football through self‑serving decisions, commercial exploitation of World Cup breaks and political interference.