Reflecting on a home World Cup that saw Spain crowned champions and the United States reignite its passion for the world’s game.

As I sit in the echoing silence of the New York New Jersey Stadium, the 80,000 seats now mostly empty, I am struck by a profound sense of gratitude. Below me, on the turf where history was just written, the players of La Roja are celebrating their victory over Argentina with their families. This was my sixth World Cup as a journalist, a journey that has taken me from the favelas of Brazil to the high-tech arenas of Qatar. But a home World Cup? That is a once-in-a-career experience that defies easy description. The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the biggest, loudest, and most spectacular edition of the tournament ever, and it has left an indelible mark on the soul of American sports.

The American Awakening

The tournament began with a roar in Seattle that signaled a shift in the national consciousness. When the United States Men’s National Team ran out to an early lead against Paraguay, the atmosphere was electric—the first World Cup match on U.S. soil in 32 years felt like a long-overdue reunion. The 4-1 victory that followed captured the imagination of a public that has often been skeptical of the 'beautiful game.' It wasn't just the result; it was the way it was achieved, with a vibrancy and confidence that suggested a new era for American soccer had truly arrived.

That momentum continued in Seattle, where the upper deck of the stadium literally vibrated when VAR confirmed Alex Freeman’s goal against Australia. It was the first time the U.S. had ever won two straight World Cup matches, and for a few days, the dream of a deep run felt entirely plausible. I traveled to Los Angeles to witness Canada, under American coach Jesse Marsch, win their first-ever knockout game, and then to San Francisco where Mauricio Pochettino’s 10-man U.S. squad showed incredible grit to pad their lead against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 'round of 32' was a new frontier, and for a moment, the hosts were navigating it with aplomb.

The Pochettino Paradox

However, the fairy tale came to a crashing halt in the very place it began. Pochettino’s side, playing in front of 50 million domestic viewers, was dismantled 4-1 by a clinical Belgium side in the round of 16. It was a sobering reminder of the gap that still exists between the emerging powers and the established elite. Despite the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s participation after a red card in the previous round, the U.S. looked unprepared and overwhelmed. It was the largest margin of defeat for the hosts in a knockout match since 1934, a scar that will take time to heal.

Yet, to focus only on that final loss would be to miss the broader impact of the summer. Pochettino, the most decorated coach in the program's history, has undeniably raised the floor of the national team, even if the ceiling remains elusive. The Americans won millions of new fans, people who were drawn in by the drama and the high stakes of a home tournament. The 'soccer country' debate is over; these 39 days have proven that the United States is now a central pillar of the global game, with a domestic audience that is as passionate and knowledgeable as any in Europe or South America.

The Star Power of Miami and Beyond

The tournament was also a showcase for the game’s greatest individual talents. In Miami, I watched a quarter-final for the ages as England and Norway battled in a clash of styles. While the expected duel between Harry Kane and Erling Haaland didn't quite reach its peak, Jude Bellingham stole the show with two goals that cemented his status as the premier midfielder of his generation. Writing in a hotel lobby afterward, I was struck by the sight of English fans cheering for Switzerland as if it were their own team—they wanted no part of Lionel Messi and Argentina. Their fear was well-founded.

The semi-final between England and Argentina in Atlanta was perhaps the high-water mark of the competition's drama. Watching Argentina claw back two goals in the dying minutes, with Messi providing the vision for both, is an experience I will never forget. The press box, usually a place of stoic professionalism, dissolved into chaos as an Argentine journalist stripped off his shirt in celebration. It was a moment of pure, unbridled passion that perfectly encapsulated the 'cosmic energy' of the World Cup. On the streets afterward, the mix of English despair and Argentine ecstasy was a reminder of how much this game means to the people who follow it.

New York’s Full Circle Moment

For a journalist raised in New York City, Sunday’s final was the ultimate full-circle moment. I spent my early 20s covering MLS games in the parking lot of the old Giants Stadium. Thirty-two years ago, I sat in that same building with my father to watch my first-ever World Cup game. To be back here, in a state-of-the-art arena, covering the final of the most successful World Cup in history, was a humbling reminder of how far the sport has come in this country. Soccer is no longer a curiosity in mainstream America; it is a fundamental part of the cultural fabric.

As I prepare to head home to my family after two months on the road, the exhaustion is real, but so is the gratitude. Spain are worthy champions, having played a brand of football that was as beautiful as it was effective. Argentina proved themselves once again to be the ultimate competitors. But the real winner of 2026 was the tournament itself. It gave us memories that will live forever, from the 'Viking Row' of the Norwegians to the historic goals of the underdogs. The 2026 World Cup didn't just meet expectations; it surpassed them in every conceivable way. It was, quite simply, the greatest show on earth. more football news on MATCHLINE