Despite Controversy, The Expanded World Cup Format Delivered

The 2026 World Cup continues to face controversies, but its expanded field has delivered in a big way for fans.

While the tournament still has a couple more rounds to go, it's already provided plenty of thrilling excitement for fans. We saw several small countries make the most of a rare qualification, pushing established world powers to their brink. It also made some history, as fans got to watch Lionel Messi become the leading goalscorer in the World Cup’s long history.

With the quarterfinals set to begin on Tuesday, there is still plenty of excitement left.

Fears Over Competitiveness Fall Flat

Coming into this summer’s World Cup, many fans worried that the expanded field would hurt the overall quality of the tournament. They feared teams from countries like Cape Verde, the DR Congo, and the Ivory Coast would not be able to compete with the rest of the field, leading to a slew of boring matches during group play.

Instead, we saw all three teams earn their way into the knockout round. While none advanced to the Round of 16, each lost by just one goal. 

The tournament is still likely to be won by one of the world’s top teams; the presence of these smaller squads added a thrilling new edge to the first half of the 2026 World Cup.

Crowds Show Up Despite High Prices

One of the biggest controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup was the eye-popping cost of attending. FIFA had promised to make the tournament affordable, but fans needed to spend thousands of dollars just to get into the stadium for many matches. The issue, combined with hotel bookings falling short, led many to wonder how many fans would actually attend.

After seeing plenty of open seats for the first matches, the atmosphere completely changed. Stadiums were packed with fans, creating a raucous environment that added another challenge for teams. That could be felt on TV, leading to increased fan engagement, especially in the US.

While FIFA’s failed pricing promises may still face controversy, the tournament’s success is already overshadowing the issue.

Two Tournament Darlings Remain

The biggest Cinderella stories have exited the tournament, but two underdogs remain in the hunt for their first World Cup title.

Switzerland may not be a traditional underdog, but this squad has far exceeded all expectations. They won their group and defeated Algeria and a very good Colombia team in the knockout rounds. Now they’ll face the reigning World Cup champions on Saturday for a chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time in history. 

Norway has also captured the hearts of soccer fans this summer. The country returned to the tournament for the first time in 28 years, and they are making the most of it. Superstar Erling Haaland has been elite, registering seven goals across four starts. Now, he’ll lead his team against Harry Kane and England in a bid to secure the country’s first trip to the semi-finals.