By Francis Onyach - Sports journalist and pundit based in Kenya.
18 July 2026 - When FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams, the promise was simple: more nations, more stories and more unforgettable football.
To an extent, the tournament has delivered both football and drama.
There have been dramatic comebacks, emerging superstars, giant killings, Infantino’s unhidden support of Argentina, and emotional moments that remind us why the World Cup remains football's greatest stage.
Yet, as the tournament heads into its final between Argentina and Spain, one uncomfortable question lingers over everything that has happened:
Will we remember the football, or will we remember the controversies?
That is perhaps the biggest talking point of the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina's Journey Has Been Brilliant... But Never Quiet
Argentina deserves enormous credit for reaching another World Cup final.
Champions rarely defend their crown easily, yet Lionel Scaloni's side have repeatedly found answers when under pressure.
They survived difficult knockout ties before producing a stunning late comeback against England in the semi-finals.
But almost every step of that journey has carried controversy.
Their dramatic Round of 16 victory over Egypt sparked fierce debate over several VAR decisions, leading to accusations from sections of fans and pundits that officiating had influenced the outcome. Those claims have spread widely online, although FIFA has not found evidence supporting allegations of bias.
Then came the semi-final.
England led for much of the second half before Argentina struck twice in the closing minutes.
To Argentina supporters, it was another example of championship mentality.
To England supporters, it was another painful "what if."
The football itself was outstanding.
The conversation afterward was not.
Instead of discussing Enzo Fernández's composure or Lautaro Martínez's clinical finish, social media became flooded with debates about referees, tactical decisions and conspiracy theories.
That has been the recurring theme of this World Cup.
Portugal's Exit Marked the End of an Era
If Argentina's story has been about survival, Portugal's has been about goodbye.
Cristiano Ronaldo entered what is widely expected to be his final World Cup carrying the hopes of another generation.
Instead, Portugal fell short before reaching the final four.
For perhaps the first time in two decades, it genuinely feels like football is beginning to move beyond the Messi-Ronaldo era.
Not because they suddenly stopped being great players.
But because younger stars are now driving the biggest conversations.
The World Cup has quietly become football's changing of the guard.
England Didn't Lose Because of Argentina Alone
England will point to Argentina's quality.
They will point to Lionel Messi.
They will point to the late comeback.
But if they are honest, they should first look in the mirror.
England had the match exactly where they wanted it.
Anthony Gordon's goal gave them the lead.
Momentum shifted in their favour.
Then everything changed.
Thomas Tuchel made defensive substitutions, invited pressure, and abandoned the aggressive approach that had carried England throughout the tournament.
Even Tuchel admitted afterward that England became "too passive" after taking the lead.
The statistics reflected that change.
England barely kept possession after scoring.
Argentina sensed vulnerability.
Champions punish hesitation.
England hesitated.
Harry Kane Was a Shadow of Himself
Harry Kane entered the tournament among the favourites for the Golden Boot.
He had scored consistently throughout England's run.
But in the semi-final, he never truly imposed himself.
Whether it was Argentina's defensive discipline, England's tactical retreat or simple fatigue, Kane looked isolated for long periods.
The service disappeared, and his influence faded.
The captain who had carried England for much of the tournament suddenly became a spectator.
That was perhaps England's biggest disappointment.
Not losing.
But losing without their biggest player producing his biggest performance.
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France Had Everything Except the Result
If one team underachieved more than England, it was France.
On paper, Didier Deschamps possessed arguably the tournament's deepest squad.
Elite defenders, creative midfielders, and explosive attackers in Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise.
Yet Spain made them look ordinary.
France were not outclassed because they lacked talent.
They were outplayed because Spain executed their football with greater clarity, discipline, and confidence.
Sometimes football is wonderfully simple.
The better team wins.
Spain represents the Future
While controversy has followed Argentina, Spain has quietly produced perhaps the tournament's most convincing football.
They have controlled matches rather than survived them.
They eliminated France with authority.
They have conceded remarkably few chances.
Most importantly, they have introduced the world to what could be football's next dominant era.
At the heart of it stands Lamine Yamal.
Still only 19, he already plays with the calmness of a veteran.
Every touch feels purposeful, every dribble carries intent, and every decision seems years beyond his age.
The Final Is Bigger Than Argentina vs Spain
Sunday's final is about far more than two national teams.
It is football's past meeting its future.
Lionel Messi represents the greatest generation many fans have ever witnessed.
Lamine Yamal represents the next.
One is chasing one final piece of history.
The other is beginning to write his own.
Rarely has a World Cup final carried such symbolic weight.
Has the Tournament Been Too Controversial?
Perhaps.
VAR debates have dominated headlines.
Officiating has frequently overshadowed performances.
Social media has amplified every disputed decision into a global argument, often without evidence.
Yet maybe that is simply modern football.
Every major tournament now lives two lives.
One on the pitch, another online.
The football has still been extraordinary.
Spain's tactical brilliance.
The emergence of new stars.
Messi refusing to fade.
These stories deserve to be remembered.
Instead, too often, they have competed for attention with refereeing debates and endless conspiracy theories.
The Last Word
Maybe this World Cup has been exactly what football has become.
Magnificent, chaotic, emotional, divisive, and impossible to ignore.
As Argentina prepare to face Spain, one final story remains unwritten.
Will the supposedly greatest player of his generation leave the World Cup with one last masterpiece?
Or will football officially pass the torch to its next king?
Whatever happens, one thing is certain.
The 2026 World Cup has ensured that when the final whistle blows, people won't just remember who lifted the trophy.
They'll remember everything that happened along the way. Mostly, the controversies surrounding Messi and Argentina’s journey through the tournament. A feat that has earned him the name “FIFA princess”.
The writer is an accomplished sports journalist based in Kenya. He comments on topical issues.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dawan Africa.