By Yusuf Idowu Abass
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has rewritten football history in more ways than one. Beyond introducing a record-breaking 48-team tournament, this edition has also shattered long-held expectations, proving that reputation alone is no longer enough to guarantee success on football's biggest stage.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, 48 nations competed for the coveted trophy, expanding the tournament from its previous 32-team format. The participating teams were divided into 12 groups of four, with 32 teams progressing to an enlarged knockout phase. The expanded format created more opportunities for emerging football nations to challenge the traditional powerhouses, resulting in one of the most unpredictable tournaments ever witnessed.
According to the tournament results, Spain and Argentina secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after impressive semifinal performances. Spain booked their place by defeating France 2–0, while Argentina edged England 2–1 in a thrilling encounter to set up a highly anticipated championship clash.
What has captured the attention of football fans around the world, however, is the dramatic exit of several football giants. Before the tournament began, many supporters and analysts predicted that teams such as Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil, Germany, France, England, the United States, and other traditional football powers would battle for a place in the final.
Instead, the tournament produced a series of stunning upsets. Some of these football giants were eliminated in the quarterfinals, while others reached the semifinals but failed to book a place in the final. Their unexpected exits highlighted the growing competitiveness of international football and demonstrated that no nation can rely solely on past achievements or star players.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has shown that the gap between established football nations and emerging teams continues to narrow. Every qualified nation now possesses the tactical discipline, technical quality, and determination to compete at the highest level. As a result, predicting the finalists has become more difficult than ever before.
This tournament serves as a reminder that football remains the world's most unpredictable sport. Every match presents an opportunity for history to be made, and every team has the ambition and ability to compete for the ultimate prize. The era when only a handful of nations dominated the FIFA World Cup appears to be fading, replaced by a new generation of fearless competitors ready to challenge the established order.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered not only for its historic expansion but also for proving that in modern football, the mighty can indeed fall, while new contenders continue to rise in pursuit of football's greatest honour.
Written by:
Yusuf Idowu Abass
Journalist and Public Relations Expert, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
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