Football rollercoaster : 2026 World Cup was tainted by controversies
The Tribune Editorial : The World Cup highlighted some inspiring underdog stories from small nations
IT was the biggest World Cup in the history of football — and perhaps the most controversial one in recent decades. Expanded to 48 teams and 104 matches across three host nations — the US, Canada and Mexico — it showcased football’s global appeal while raising questions about the sport’s future. Spain won their second title in 16 years, edging out defending champions Argentina 1-0 in the below-par final. In stark contrast, the third-place match featuring the tournament’s most flamboyant teams — England and France — was a nail-biting classic that the former won 6-4. The World Cup highlighted some inspiring underdog stories from small nations such as Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo and Curacao. Mega stars like Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi once again lit up the world’s biggest stage, while it was the same old sob story for Cristiano Ronaldo.
