By Kunle Solaja, New York

The group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has concluded in record-breaking fashion, with unprecedented attendance figures, massive fan engagement and a global celebration of football that has already made the tournament the biggest in the sport’s history.

According to a press release by FIFA, the first-ever 48-team World Cup attracted a staggering 4,644,549 spectators across 72 matches so far played in 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, setting a new benchmark for football’s premier event.

Over the course of 17 days, the expanded tournament brought together more nations, players and supporters than any previous edition, underscoring FIFA’s ambition of making the World Cup a truly global festival of football.

A total of 1,248 players representing 48 countries were registered for the tournament, with 999 taking part during the group stage. The expanded format has provided more nations with an opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest stage while delivering a broader range of matchups and storylines.

The impact of the tournament has extended well beyond the stadiums. FIFA reported that the FIFA Fan Festival programme, the largest in the competition’s history, has already attracted 5.5 million visitors across the host nations, creating vibrant gathering points for supporters unable to attend matches in person.

The scale of fan engagement has also been reflected in some eye-catching statistics. More than 300,000 hot dogs were consumed during the group stage alone. FIFA noted that if those hot dogs were placed end to end, they would stretch approximately 45 kilometres — roughly the distance between New York New Jersey Stadium and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

From packed stadiums and fan festivals to global television audiences and digital engagement, the opening phase of the tournament has highlighted the growing popularity of the World Cup and the success of the expanded 48-team format.

With the knockout rounds now underway, FIFA believes the first 17 days have laid the foundation for an even more dramatic conclusion to the competition.

The record-setting numbers underline the tournament’s status as football’s greatest show and suggest that the 2026 edition could become the most watched and most attended World Cup ever before the final whistle is blown in July.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Germany will seek to continue their impressive FIFA World Cup knockout-stage record when they face Paraguay in a Round of 32 encounter on Monday, with history strongly favouring the four-time world champions.

The Germans have won eight of their last nine World Cup knockout matches, underlining their reputation as one of football’s most formidable tournament teams. Having navigated the group stage successfully, they now turn their attention to a Paraguay side eager to upset the odds.

Paraguay, however, face an ominous challenge. The South Americans have lost all four of their previous World Cup knockout ties against European opposition, including three successive 1-0 defeats that ended promising tournament campaigns.

While Germany arrive as favourites, Paraguay have already demonstrated resilience during the competition and will hope their disciplined defensive structure can frustrate the Europeans.

For Germany, progression to the Round of 16 is the minimum expectation as they continue their pursuit of a fifth World Cup crown. Paraguay, meanwhile, see the match as an opportunity to rewrite a troublesome chapter in their World Cup history and register a landmark victory over European opposition.

With a place in the last 16 at stake, Germany’s pedigree will be tested by a Paraguay side determined to prove that history counts for little once the knockout rounds begin.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Japan will attempt to achieve a historic first when they face Brazil in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup, but standing in their way is a Seleção side with an outstanding record on American soil.

The Samurai Blue have never won a World Cup knockout match and are seeking to break new ground by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.

Their task, however, could hardly be more daunting. Brazil are unbeaten in ten FIFA World Cup matches played in the United States, recording seven victories and three draws while producing some of their most memorable performances on American soil.

The five-time world champions enter the knockout rounds as one of the tournament favourites and will be determined to avoid becoming the victims of one of the competition’s biggest upsets.

Japan have shown throughout the tournament that they are capable of competing with the world’s elite, combining tactical discipline with technical quality and relentless work rate.

Yet Brazil’s experience, attacking depth and historical pedigree make them formidable opponents as the pressure of knockout football begins to intensify.

A place in the Round of 16 awaits the winners, with Japan hoping to create history and Brazil looking to preserve both their unbeaten American record and their dream of lifting a sixth World Cup title.

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