Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
The 2026 World Cup ended last night with a 1–0 win for Spain against the champions Argentina. It was certainly one of the finals of all time and probably the most one-sided match I’ve ever seen (and by design). It took 117 minutes for Argentina to get a shot at goal and despite it all, they had a decent chance to bring the match level after Ferran Torres only goal in extra time.
It wasn’t a pretty sight and for me at least neither was the tournament as a whole. I enjoyed individual moments: Cabo Verde putting on two of my favourite displays at the tournament (vs. Uruguay and Argentina), seeing so many African nations in the knockout stage including DR Congo, seeing Argentina lose and their players cry, all the hydration break memes, absolute chimneys (IYKYK). But there was so much I didn’t like and most of it was institutional and… American. It definitely felt like an American sports event both on and off the pitch and while I’m not totally ignorant to American sports (feel free to look through my blog archives), I’m very used to sports in every other region and how they operate and feel and this second attempt at the World Cup felt more like a showpiece with a bit of football tagged on the end.
It’s worth noting that the US weren’t the only hosts; Canada and Mexico seemed to play their parts well and this was Mexico’s third World Cup as hosts. But they felt more like tagalongs in the grander scheme of things with Canada doing their best “We’re Not Like The US” bit until they lost in the Round of 16.
The fact that we spent so much time discussing FIFA and the US administration and Balogun’s red card decision that controversially got “suspended for a year” along with a slew of highly questionable refereeing decisions left a bitter taste in my mouth. This is nothing new but it felt like a lot all at once at this tournament. Were the hydration breaks a duty of care or a hackneyed means of yet more advertising alongside hoardings emblazoned with Saudi oil logos? Both would be the diplomatic answer.
And the final itself, a generally drab affair unless you’re Spanish or a La Liga enjoyer and maybe you’re used to this kind of play. Given the razzmatazz of the pre-show and the half-time show, the actual showpiece was like a week-old sandwich spread between two brioche buns. Thankfully, Argentina got their just desserts.
And for all the Well Actually comments about Spain and how the bronze final actually wasn’t good (I did see someone claim the final was better which boggles my mind), I think it’s reasonable to agree with the following statements all at the same time:
- Spain’s football doesn’t excite like other teams but it obviously gets the job done
- Argentina’s football is abysmal to watch but it got them to two consecutive finals (officiating aside)
- The bronze final match wasn’t technically good but who cares, it was fun
- Spain vs. Argentina was just as much a modern football match as any other given both team’s styles of play and what they wanted to achieve
We got enough incorrect splaining about Norway and how they’re some kind of inspiration for doing so much with so little. I don’t see what we get out of applying that myopia with the 3rd place match and the final. People want to be entertained for the most part and teams filled with millionaires are more than capable of producing high quality matches for everyone to get something out of. Not everyone can play the same way but I’m not going to cosplay as a sports writer who knows more than you and pretend like this is great.
This has become incoherent rambling and I should really neaten it up but maybe it’s indicative of my relationship with this tournament. I strongly considered just not bothering with it before it started but a boycott wouldn’t have worked and I am weak anyway. But I’m glad it’s done and I hope there isn’t another North American global sporting event I have to watch throu— wait, what’s happening in Los Angeles in two years? Oh.