On the eve of the final between Spain and Argentina, FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the World Cup 2026 « best in history ». Organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada, this first 48-team World Championship, according to him, allowed for a greater representation of nations, especially Africans, while generating a strong popular enthusiasm.
Infantino defended the expansion of the competition, believing that the new format offered more opportunities for emerging selections. He also said FIFA was already thinking about a further expansion of the tournament, up to 64 teams.
Despite this positive record, the World 2026 was marked by several controversies, including disputed arbitral decisions and the Folarin Balogun case. Donald Trump admitted that he had intervened with Gianni Infantino to request a review of the suspension of the US striker, an approach that re-launched questions about the independence of FIFA's disciplinary bodies. Infantino, however, reiterated that FIFA's judicial bodies act independently.
