The expansion of the men’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams introduced a mix of excitement and concern. Following Gianni Infantino's announcement shortly after he succeeded Sepp Blatter, reactions varied widely. Diego Maradona praised the initiative, believing it reignited passion for football, while Joachim Löw, then Germany's coach, warned that it might dilute the tournament’s quality.

The 2026 World Cup, hosted in North America, showcased its diversity with Cape Verde emerging as the tournament's biggest underdog, despite not winning a match. New entrants like Curaçao made headlines with memorable moments, such as Livano Comenencia’s equalizer against Germany. Notably, Egypt and Canada celebrated their first knockout stage wins, highlighting the positive impact of increased opportunities for smaller nations.

However, the expanded format led to a stark gulf in class. The tournament witnessed five group games with disparities exceeding 65 places in world rankings. While some matches resulted in surprising draws, early exits for teams like Uruguay were rare. The format allowed stars like Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi to shine, contributing to a thrilling chase for the Golden Boot.

The decision to maintain four-team groups raised concerns about potential collusion and competitive advantages for teams playing later. The flawed third-place system left some teams, such as Scotland, uncertain about their fates for days.

Looking ahead, Infantino hinted at a potential expansion to 64 teams, which could further complicate the competitive landscape. This change would heighten disparities between teams and pose logistical challenges, particularly in managing match schedules during the summer heat. The future of World Cup formats promises to be a hot topic as FIFA navigates these complexities.