DALLAS, United States (from a special envoy).– “This World Cup is already the most successful in history”he said this Tuesday Gianni Infantino in New York. The CEO of a multinational raises billions of dollars and which still presents itself as a private non-profit association not only returned to defend the World Cup largest held so far. He went further. The statements of the man traveling in his private plane from Mexico City to Los Angeles, from Kansas City to Toronto and from Guadalajara to New York have some points on which they can stand, despite the critics.
The FIFA It is based on a first incontrovertible fact that the entire world is watching on television. With almost half of the games consumed (48 of 104), the stadiums look full. Doubts about the American public, which traditionally was not very fond of socceradded to the high price of tickets and the enormous distances between the venues, suggested that it would be difficult to see full seats in smaller matches. However, reality destroyed that presumption.
The FIFA president pointed out that “all matches reach 99.6% occupancy”. According to official records, the 6.7 million tickets that were put on sale were bought almost in its entirety. The only way to get them now is resale, something that Argentines who arrived without tickets suffer. In the system that FIFA launched in this World Cup Tickets for the matches are offered at prices that are almost inaccessible to the average fan from countries like Argentina.
FIFA defends itself by arguing not only that resale is allowed in the United States, but also the prices of the tickets, which many times they exceed 1000 dollars in matches of the first stageare in tune with what similar shows cost in this country.
Stadiums and infrastructure
Two years ago, the United States organized the America’s Cupof which the Argentine team was champion, and last year the Club World Cupwhich River and Boca played. Both tournaments received strong criticism regarding infrastructuresuch as the one referred to natural grass breads that they were placed above the artificial mats on which American football is played, and that they looked uneven. The tribunes They were in many meetings depopulated and the traditional football “climate” that accompanies this type of events in latitudes with greater tradition did not exist. A bad omen for what would happen in 2026.
Well, now all that has changed radically in the United States, a country that will end up hosting 78 of the 104 matches, including the semifinals and the final.
He Dallas Stadiumwhere Lionel Messi established himself this Monday as the all-time top scorer in the World Cup and where the team will close group J against Jordan next Saturday, is one of the most impressive settings on the planet. While the temperature outside exceeded 40 degrees, the closed roof and the air-conditioning they generated a ideal environment to play and watch football. The 70,000 spectators, mostly Argentinians, enjoyed a unique show, with a giant screen in high definition and quick access and comfortable. One of the semifinals will be played in Dallas. The other will be in atlantawhich has another of the most modern stadiums. It also has a retractable roof, cutting edge technology and amenities in the hallways that resemble luxury shopping malls.
European football has always boasted to the world of having absolute dominance in terms of infrastructure. But here there are modern venues that provide closeness to the fans. National Football League stadiums (NFL), which were already operating, were converted in scenarios to watch football matches, in such a well-done way that they will set a high bar for future candidates.
Goals and figures
At the threshold of the date that will define positions and qualifiers for the next round, the tournament enters its most exciting moment, with duels that send the loser home. Until now just four games ended 0-0and another eight, 1-0. In each of the remaining 36 games there were two goals or more. Was five games that They had more than five scores (Germany 7 vs. Curacao 1 was the most prolific). He average is from almost 3 points per game (2.93).
The number of participants led to another of the main questions that Infantino received. But the Swiss insisted that in this way countries like Curacao and Cape Verdethat Until now they had little chance of competing in the World Cup.
Protected by the tournament fixture of 48 teams that qualifies 32 for the first playoff phase (only 16 passed to Qatar), The main candidates have almost assured their participation in the round of 32.
The figures are at a high level and meet the expectations they always generate. Messi is so far the biggest magnet of a competition that has become attractive even for Americans. Cristiano Ronaldo He finally appeared on this date with a double, as if to keep the rivalry with the Argentine captain alive for a while longer. In addition, other scorers who shine in European football guide their teams, such as the Frenchman Kilyan Mbappé and the Norwegian Erling Haaland. The Spanish Lamine Yamal warned that he is ready to fight.
Reviews
Infantino moves through this World Cup like a Hollywood actor. In the match that the Argentine team played against Algeria, in the debut in Kansas City, the boss of the soccer business got out of a huge truck. Dressed in his outfit traditional, dark suit and sneakers, he walked several meters to the VIP box and stopped to greet and blow kisses to the Argentine fans who greeted him. With that ritual that is repeated in each stadium he visits, The Swiss managed to wash the face of a FIFA that was beheaded before his inauguration due to corruption accusations after the awarding of the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 bids.
The World Cup in which Messi lifted the third cup for Argentina also marked a boost for Infantino and his commitment to World Cup formats that are still resisted by many. That contest organized in a single city in an emirate in the middle of the desert was a success.
The tournament of 48 teams, three countries and 104 games seems to overcome that path.
The 2026 World Cup will break spectator records on the planet and also in the country where soccer displaced baseball as the third sport (behind American football and basketball). The team led by Argentine Mauricio Pochettino became an incentive for Americans to become interested in the soccer. The home team’s debut against Paraguay, for example, was the most watched World Cup match in the history of local televisionwith 27.5 million viewers. It was also the most played match in English in the history of the World Cup.
