Apology Accepted - Why the 48 Team World Cup Has Been So Much Better Than Everyone Expected

Every Pundit Who Said the 48-Team World Cup Would be Rubbish Owes Someone an Apology

I’ve said it multiple times on X (follow me in my bio if you’re interested), and now, finally, people seem to be realising the error of their ways – everyone who said the 48-team World Cup was going to be a disappointment should apologise shamelessly and move on, because the 2026 North American tournament has been nothing short of magnificent so far.

I've seen enough. Let's invite another 16 teams to the World Cup in 2030.

— Jack (@WorkTheSpace) June 15, 2026

We’ve seen 89 goals scored in the 28 games played so far, an average of 3.17 goals per game; more red cards than the entirety of Qatar 2022; stories, drama and upsets galore; and we haven’t even finished the second set of group games yet.

What was all the drama about?

A Question of Quality?

At face value, the argument that the 48-team format would be disappointing to the prior 32-nation setup is semi-understandable. The more teams that are allowed to enter, the more it opens up spots for sides whose quality would not have been enough to see them qualify for the tournaments of past generations.

The likes of Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are all making their maiden tournament appearances in 2026, and prior to the opening game, many had written all four sides off as whipping boys, nothing more than easy wins for the more illustrious nations.

To an extent, this has been true. Curacao suffered the heaviest defeat of the tournament so far, a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Germany, while fellow minnows Tunisia and Qatar were thumped 5-1 and 6-0 by Sweden and Canada, respectively.

“Nahhh no voy a mirar Canada vs Qatar, seguro va a ser aburridisimo”

Canada vs Qatar pic.twitter.com/AiOqWiSvQP

— Micha (@ElMichalito) June 18, 2026

However, Haiti and Cape Verde massively exceeded expectations, the former ever so close to stealing a point against Scotland, while the latter produced the shock of the tournament, holding favourites Spain to a 0-0 draw in the opening game. The only goalless game of the tournament so far, and yet it is arguably the biggest surprise yet.

It’s not as if these are isolated incidents either – New Zealand, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Australia all impressed against significantly better countries and have lent the World Cup something of an underdog favouritism in the early stages.

Even in those heavily one-sided games, which some deem boring, there is chaos at every turn. Take Canada’s 6-0 win of Qatar last night as an example – two red cards, tackles flying in, a broken leg for Ismael Kone, a hat trick for Jonathan David, and a record for the most goals scored in a game by a CONCACAF nation. Doesn’t sound dull to me.

New Heroes

The inclusion of some more obscure nations has also introduced the football-following masses to some new cult heroes, players who, despite playing in low-quality leagues, bring unique quality to the tournament and, more importantly, amazing stories.

Take Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, for example. With only 28 top five European league appearances across his entire career, along with his obvious advancing age, very few expected him to make a save, let alone keep a clean sheet against the European champions.

That is why you should never take anything at face value in football, as very often, nothing is as it seems. Seven saves, a clean sheet, a first World Cup point and a man-of-the-match award later, Vozinha was being worshipped from all four corners of the social media world, a name written into the World Cup history books which will never be erased. That is the power of the World Cup – it turns nobodies into celebrities overnight.

On Sunday, Vozinha was an unknown 40-year-old goalkeeper for Cape Verde.

On Monday, a brilliant display against Spain turned him into a global superstar with 13 million new Instagram followers.

How does the World Cup create overnight sensations?

📝 @PJBuckingham… pic.twitter.com/FnwsiLeUTg

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais had a similarly miraculous performance against Uruguay, while outfield, the likes of Canada’s Cyle Larin, New Zealand’s Elijah Just, Australia’s Nestory Irankunda and the USA’s Folarin Balogun are garnering unprecedented press for their goal-scoring performances at the tournament.

Even if the tournament were at lower quality, more teams equals more drama, and that’s just the way we like it.

Still Got It

It’s not as if the 48 team format has taken away from the quality that would have likely got to the tournament anyway, either, as the world’s biggest stars showed exactly where they are considered the best of the best in the first game week.

Kylian Mbappé netted a superb brace, Erling Haaland a typical poacher's double, Messi a wondrous hat-trick, and Harry Kane another two goals as all four made compelling cases for why they should be crowned as the world’s best player in October.

Lionel Messi became the oldest player ever to score multiple goals at a #FIFAWorldCup match at 38 years, 357 days 😮‍💨

Just check out this hat-trick... pic.twitter.com/HZT8Oc2j9H

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 17, 2026

Sure, Messi’s hat trick came against Algeria and Haaland’s brace against Iraq, but you can only play the opponent put in front of you, and if anything, these lesser teams highlighted the individual quality of their opponents even more starkly, allowing us to enjoy their unique talents and eye-catching class in all their glory.

Everyone just needs to stop complaining and enjoy the tournament. Never before have I heard proper football fans and pundits be so against more football. The more World Cup games there are, the more of an event it becomes, and we have been treated to a blockbuster tournament so far.

In our opinion, the 48-team World Cup, while ambitious and perhaps financially driven, has only added to the splendour of the greatest sporting event on earth. With four matches a day, constant unexpected storylines and no shortage of individual brilliance, the 2026 World Cup is still only getting warmed up. Just wait until we reach that extra knockout round!