AndreaNyamedi

When it comes to global sports competitions, no event is quite like the Men’s FIFA World Cup: the international soccer championship. This quadannual super-tournament gathers dozens of national teams from across the globe to compete for the ultimate prize of fame and honor for their country. For this year’s World Cup, attention climbed to staggering heights with new teams, multiple host countries and endless excitement. 

One notable recent change to the World Cup was the number of teams competing. The usual team limit of 32 expanded to 48 national teams. Not only did this up the stakes and lead to hilarious cultural exchanges, it shined the spotlight onto teams previously unknown by the majority in the West. 

“Nobody really knew who Cape Verde was until FIFA added them,” freshman Chloe Adjevi said.  She watched every single World Cup match this summer. “They got popular due to playing more known teams, and that led to younger players getting scouted.” The same team went on to play against Argentina and created one of the most memorable matches of the Cup. The country Curaçao similarly moved the hearts of many viewers by scoring against Germany, a formidable fan favorite, as a first-time qualifier. These results proved to the world that more teams were indeed a benefit and not a hindrance. 

Another development this year was the number of host nations. Most lineups in the past century of the World Cup have never exceeded a single country hosting the games, with 2002 as an exception. Now, 2026 sets a new record of hosts: Mexico, Canada, and the United States. 

Some fans raised concerns about jet lag affecting team performance. Did using three countries really give those traveling from distant times zones a fair chance? Despite these worries, the change appealed to crowds living in the U.S. who longed to see the games in person— including some girls from our own school. 

Senior Sarah Esquivel recalls her surprise upon discovering that several matches would be held in Kansas City, a mere two hours away from her home. “The fact that it was really close was shocking because normally stuff isn’t that close to Nebraska, and you’d have to drive six hours for it,” she said. Experiences like hers showed the positive impact accessibility can have in smaller states.

Not every part of the tournament went smoothly, however. Multiple controversies arose as a result of the travel ban imposed by the U.S. This policy blocked nearly 40 countries— including participating countries Haiti, Iran, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast— from obtaining visas to visit the U.S. for matches. While this rule excluded athletes and coaches, it also prohibited thousands of fans from attending. “I personally found it disappointing and unfair,” said Adjevi. Much of the public sentiment mirrored her feelings. 

Whether viewed positively or negatively, these new alterations in the tournament have without a doubt put the ‘World’ in the FIFA Men’s World Cup and brought international sports competitions to a new level of global attention. 

Did you watch any World Cup games? Leave us a comment: