The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has come to a close. Despite initial concerns about logistics and potential controversies, the tournament was largely successful, with high attendance and TV ratings throughout.

Attendance and Viewership

According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the tournament saw a record number of spectators in stadiums, with almost 7 million attendees. TV ratings were also strong, with the US-Belgium game on July 6 drawing over 45 million viewers.

The final match between Spain and Argentina was watched by a total audience of 22.6 million on Telemundo, making it one of the most-watched World Cup finals in Spanish-language media history.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite the overall success of the tournament, there were some challenges and controversies. The participation of Iran’s team was marred by travel complaints and visa issues, with the US refusing visas to several members of the Iranian delegation.

Additionally, there were concerns about the heat and weather conditions, with some games featuring hot and muggy conditions. However, the weather ultimately cooperated, and the tournament was able to proceed without major disruptions.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.