The first World Cup to feature 48 teams, won by Spain after 104 matches over five-and-a-half weeks in North America, delivered a mixed verdict on Fifa's decision to expand the tournament from 32 nations. Gianni Infantino pushed the change to make the competition more global, and debutants such as Cape Verde and Curaçao provided memorable moments, while six nations reached the knockout stages for the first time, including Egypt and Canada securing their maiden knockout wins.

However, the larger field also widened the gulf between stronger and weaker sides, with five group games showing ranking gaps of more than 65 places, compared with the biggest mismatch of 77 places at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Only Uruguay suffered a major shock exit, while five teams matched or exceeded Costa Rica's 2022 record of a minus-eight goal difference, with Iraq finishing on minus 11. The article also flags Fifa's decision to retain four-team groups with eight third-placed sides advancing as a flawed element that failed to fully replicate the drama of tighter three-team formats.