The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most captivating tournaments on record, exceeding initial concerns about attendance and atmosphere. Despite high ticket prices and extensive travel demands for supporters, stadiums have seen near-capacity crowds, with FIFA reporting that 99.7% of available seats have been filled.
Over 4.4 million people attended the group stage matches, a figure that rose to 6.2 million after the opening two knockout phases. This has resulted in an average attendance of just over 65,000 per match, a number surpassed only by the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, which averaged nearly 69,000 attendees per game.
The tournament has also been distinguished by the exceptional performances of its star players. The Golden Boot race is particularly competitive, featuring top global talent. Lionel Messi of Argentina leads with eight goals, while Kylian Mbappé of France and Erling Haaland of Norway have seven goals each. England's Harry Kane is close behind with six goals. This marks the first time in World Cup history that three players have scored seven or more goals in a single tournament.
The expansion to 48 participating nations initially raised concerns about one-sided matches, but the tournament has instead been highlighted by numerous surprising results and compelling underdog stories. The Caribbean island of Curaçao, the smallest nation to qualify, managed a draw against Ecuador after a significant loss to Germany. Qatar, the host nation, despite a large defeat to Canada, secured a draw with eventual quarter-finalists Switzerland.
Cape Verde provided one of the most dramatic underdog narratives, with their squad including the 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. The team achieved draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia to reach the knockout stages, where they narrowly lost 3-2 in extra time to the eventual champions Argentina, giving them a significant challenge.
These elements of dramatic comebacks, late goals, and unexpected outcomes have contributed to a memorable tournament, prompting discussions about whether this edition could be remembered as the greatest World Cup ever.