Five Weeks, Forty - superztars

By Louis Smith.

The 2026 World Cup has wrapped up, with Spain emerging as champions. Before the tournament began, I set out to write my initial first-person piece reflecting on my personal memories and experiences over the years of the World Cup. Now, after the 2026 tournament, I think it’s the perfect moment to revisit and share even more memories from this summer’s edition.

As I pointed out in my earlier piece, the World Cup isn’t just a month—or in this case, five weeks—of football; it’s about the unforgettable memories and stories that linger long after the final whistle.

In my subsequent first-person piece, I discussed my journey through Paraguay, a country I learned to love, all thanks to football.

Though we’ll have to wait four more years for the next Men’s World Cup, I’m confident that the memories and tales from this remarkable tournament will continue to be shared for years to come as we start to ease back from the football fever.

The Anticipation Finally Breaks

As the World Cup was approaching, football filled my mind in the weeks leading up to the tournament, each week stretching longer with anticipation. Just two weeks prior, while walking to five-a-side, I couldn’t help but think about how eager I was for the World Cup to kick off.

The weather was delightful—a rare treat in the UK—but all that occupied my thoughts was the World Cup. I found myself overanalyzing, procrastinating, caught in a whirlwind of excitement and expectations.

It was the first summer World Cup since the one in Russia, which brought back a wave of nostalgia. This World Cup was rich in unpredictability, featuring three host nations—Mexico, the US, and Canada—and an expanded bracket of 48 teams. This meant more matches and more football, making it an utterly thrilling experience to catch games featuring underdog teams.

As the tournament began on a Thursday, I found myself at a local pub with my parents, enjoying a beer while eagerly watching the opening ceremony and pre-match commentary unfold, marking the culmination of our anticipation.

On my way home, I picked up some Panini World Cup stickers. Despite being an adult, I still enjoy collecting them; they really get me excited for the tournament.

As I opened my sticker packs just before the match started, I scored a rare gold extra sticker of Lionel Messi, which I later sold for £88!

The opening match between Mexico and South Africa had plenty of intrigue, especially with the new national anthem format featured in the semicircle, which I thought enhanced the atmosphere effectively. Mexico secured a 2-0 victory with goals from Raúl Jiménez and Julián Quiñones, despite a few hiccups along the way, including red cards for South Africa and a late dismissal for César Montes of Mexico.

People quickly voiced their discomfort over the late European kick-off times, but personally, I embraced the novelty. Sure, I might have been groggy the next day or scrambling to catch up on highlights while avoiding spoilers—much like I did with the Korea game where they overcame the Czech Republic 2-1—but the excitement was palpable.

I advised a friend in Korea to keep the game score under wraps; fortunately, he did. That turned out to be quite a thrilling match as Korea clinched a 2-1 win. Before I knew it, the opening day was behind us, filled with excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead.

Day two was equally exhilarating as I awaited the clash between Canada and Bosnia. It seems amusing how the World Cup brings together people to watch random matchups, and this was a prime example.

While at a T20 cricket match, cheering for my local team Illingworth, I watched the Canada vs. Bosnia game on my phone as it concluded in a 1-1 draw.

Later that night, I stayed up late to catch Paraguay’s first World Cup match since 2010 against the United States.

I kept in touch with my Paraguayan friends as they prepped for their match, and the excitement in Paraguay was hard to miss. However, Paraguay’s performance was underwhelming as they were overwhelmed by the United States in a 4-1 defeat.

Looking back, the group stage might feel distant now, but it was filled with ups and downs, even with the 48 teams participating. I believed the format worked, although the head-to-head records added both clarity and complications depending on the context. Had goal difference come into play, perhaps things would’ve been different—more defensive or rather bold, it’s impossible to say.

Sweden surprised everyone with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia, but then shockingly suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands.

While returning home from five-a-side, I caught wind of Spain drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde. I jumped in to catch the second half, where goalkeeper Vozinha and the Cape Verdeans gave an outstanding defensive display to hold a strong Spain side to a draw. Moments like these encapsulate the essence of the World Cup.

We witnessed the incredible magic of Messi as Argentina defeated Algeria in their opener. Then there was a thrilling moment spent with friends at a pub in Halifax while England faced Croatia. The match ended in an electrifying 4-2 as England came from behind, showcasing the talent that had been evident from the earlier half.

Canada showcased an impressive performance against Qatar, demolishing them 6-0. It was thrilling to see Jesse Marsch animated from the touchline, but a grim moment occurred when I witnessed Ismaël Koné suffer a leg injury; it was a cruel twist after such a promising tournament.

Throughout my travels in South America, I built friendships in Brazil, who had a 3-0 victory against Haiti. Despite this setback, Haiti showcased a unique and aggressive style of play, which made their previous performances enjoyable to watch.

Paraguay managed to recover; I remember contemplating whether to stay up for their match against Turkey, only to decide to catch up on it later. The next day, I witnessed Paraguay showing resolute defense to secure a 1-0 win. Afterward, my Paraguayan friends expressed their frustration with the referee yet welcomed the victory.

France clashed with Iraq, leading to the first significant delay of the tournament due to a thunderstorm. They eventually overcame it with a win after the storm had passed.

Then came England’s second match, and it was back to the cricket club. Facing Ghana, the audience was buzzing. Sitting outside, we enjoyed beers as Portugal secured a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The execution of their two incredible free-kick routines could have been tactical masterclasses later in the tournament.

Then Scotland suffered a 3-0 defeat against Brazil, underscoring the gulf in quality, which was disheartening as I’ve always kept an eye on our neighboring home nations.

One of the more electrifying teams of the group stage was Ecuador. Despite suffering an early defeat to the Ivory Coast, they managed to qualify after a strong performance and a draw against Curaçao, ultimately defeating Germany 2-1 to exit the group stage.

We had another memorable moment with Paraguay after they faced Australia, when they managed to secure a draw to progress further, thanks to their strong defensive strategy.

Ultimately, the mix of personal experiences and thrilling matchups made the 2026 World Cup a spectacular edition. As England wrapped up their group stage against Panama, they progressed comfortably with a 2-0 victory.

The World Cup Ignites

The knockout stage started with Canada edging past South Africa, capped by a game-winning stoppage time goal from Stephen Eustáquio. It was heartbreaking for South Africa, as a bit of extra time could have altered their fate.

However, the next match produced one of the tournament’s absolute classics: a clash between Germany and Paraguay that left my Paraguayan friends buzzing with excitement. They remained cautiously optimistic entering a knockout game, fueled by a solid defensive setup that paid off when Julio Enciso scored on a counterattack to put Paraguay ahead.

Despite Germany leveling courtesy of Kai Havertz equalizing in the second half, Paraguay stayed resolute and made it through a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, achieving a historic upset.

For me, it was a sleepless night, filled with uncontainable joy as I celebrated Paraguay’s victory, culminating in a FaceTime call to my friends in Paraguay who were equally elated about their nation’s monumental achievement.

It was a tense penalty shootout—one filled with frustration as Paraguay squandered opportunities, but ultimately José Canale made the decisive penalty, sending Paraguay into the next round.

My friend from Brazil often expressed her worry whenever Brazil conceded a goal. This was evident in friendly matches where she would text me in disbelief. Yet, Brazil bounced back from an early scare against Japan, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory.

Then, seated at my local cricket club, I watched as England managed a narrow win against the DR Congo. The early goal from DR Congo took me back to the shock of their earlier upset against England during Euro 2016. Yet, England responded brilliantly with a stunning goal from Harry Kane to front the score.

On that eventful day, I continued socializing with friends and headed to the pub quiz while catching another match where Senegal initially took a 2-0 lead over Belgium, only to concede two late goals for a 2-2 draw.

Watching the ensuing happiness as Senegal took to the field and then the sadness when Belgium edged the game, it was hard to fathom how they disappeared from the tournament after such a strong start.

I then tuned into a nightcap with Portugal and Croatia battling it out, where I witnessed Croatia’s potential squandered as they failed to pull off the upset, ending their tournament.

And, much like others, I was often swayed by the underdog narrative, so when Croatia snatched a late equalizer, it drove me wild with excitement despite being hours into the night.

During the buildup to the Argentina versus Cape Verde, I shared the experience with friends, playing FIFA while Argentina played out a riveting matchup. As anticipated, Messi opened the scoring for Argentina early, but Deroy Duarte’s equalizer captivated the game, ultimately pushing it into extra time.

Lisandro Martínez soon scored, restoring Argentina’s lead, but Cape Verde leveled once more thanks to a stunning effort from Sidny Lopes Cabral.

As the match looked destined for penalties, an own goal from Deni Borges swung the match in Argentina’s favor, concluding an action-packed encounter that highlighted Cape Verde’s impressive performance.

In the round of 16, Paraguay faced France, and I donned my Paraguay shirt proudly as my friends and I went to our local cricket club after a dominating victory from Morocco against Canada.

Despite my intentions to leave after, I gave in to watching Paraguay square off against France, where they expertly frustrated the French with clever tactics and an aggressive spirit, reminiscent of their quintessential game style.

The match showcased some incredible courage from Paraguay, and though they utilized strategic fouls to disrupt France’s rhythm, they remained composed without crossing any lines. It was a masterclass in tactical discipline.

In the end, it took a penalty from Kylian Mbappé to see France progress—Paraguay should hold their heads high after a memorable tournament.

England’s Early Hours

One of the most memorable days of the tournament came when England faced Mexico.

While playing cricket against Stainland, pre-match banter revolved around the iconic Azteca and its altitude.

Back home, I flipped on Brazil versus Norway, and Norway’s second-half dominance over Brazil propelled them into the next round.

While managing not to aggravate my Brazilian friends with the commentary about their unique defeat, I was filled with anticipation for the England match.

Despite the potential delay due to storms, England’s match awaited us at 2 a.m. To bide the time, I chatted with friends in a Discord group about the looming match.

Instead of watching the game at a bar, I opted to catch England in the comfort of my own living room with my dad. The match unfolded in a gripping manner, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice to set England up with a 2-0 lead. After Quiñones struck back, suspense filled the air.

Following Quansah’s red card near the end, anxiety surged. However, a penalty from Kane made it 3-1, only for Jiménez to respond with another penalty nine minutes later.

Throughout the final moments, I wondered how time could stretch on so long, aware England had to maintain their composure with added time lurking.

Ultimately, they asserted their resilience, showcasing the grit needed to progress, marking a historic victory framed by the surreal atmosphere ringing through the night.

Exhilaration kept me awake during those hours post-match reminiscent of late nights watching Libertadores, filled with sheer electric excitement.

Watching my friends express mixed feelings about the gameplay led to a surge of adrenaline that made the late-night affair a unique one.

The next day, while stepping out for curry, I kept an eye on Argentina versus Egypt. Egypt initially took a two-goal lead, but soon the tables turned as Argentina changed the narrative underlining their football prowess.

As my friends and I reached the curry house, Argentina surged ahead to claim a stunning 3-2 victory.

Heading into the quarter-finals, I kept track of the escalating tension surrounding the matches. France dispatched Morocco 2-0 and Spain edged past Belgium with a 2-1 win, reinforcing my initial prediction that Spain would be the champions.

While juggling between Spain’s progressing matches and attending cricket matches, the excitement mounted with the contrast between sports.

England’s match against Norway drew in friends who frequented the pub, but the excessive demands for service proved burdensome during the game.

Even without beer, the camaraderie among supporters was palpable as England narrowly dismissed Norway 2-1, unveiling the brilliance of Bellingham once more.

Every match day felt different through varying atmospheres and competitions, fostering unique moments that would linger forever.

Then came the semi-finals, where France and Spain directed a stiff fight, with Spain convincingly prevailing 2-0, marking them as a formidable contender.

In the big showdown, England met Argentina, leading to mixed feelings for me. While I cherished my friendships in Argentina and fond memories from my visits, their tactical intrigues on the pitch were entirely different.

Both teams displayed their grit, yet England took the lead through Anthony Gordon amidst electrifying energy at my local cricket club, yet Argentina countered brilliantly toward the end of the fixture.

As the clock ticked down, fears grew when England adopted a defensive strategy, allowing Argentina to capitalize on opportunities leading to their ultimate triumph.

Ultimately, England reached the semi-finals, a notable accomplishment even if defeat to Argentina stung. Yet, the experience reminded me of the deep-rooted camaraderie beyond the field.

Beyond Football

In the aftermath of the match, resentment brewed among some English fans toward Argentina, rooted in sports rivalry. However, anyone who has visited Argentina knows that the warmth of its people differs significantly from the intense competitiveness on the pitch.

For instance, during my trips to Argentina, I encountered locals expressing genuine hospitality, friendly taxi drivers, and staff at venues, reinforcing that the reality off the pitch doesn’t mirror the aggressive football narrative on it.

Despite the harsh history, inviting individuals made my experience worthwhile, reminiscent of friends speaking passionately about their local clubs, extending invitations to watch lesser-known leagues.

So, while the match against England might have cast a shadow, don’t let it establish your perception of an entire nation. Argentina is filled with welcoming people and vibrant culture worth experiencing.

As the tournament unfolded, and I witnessed England triumph over France in an unlikely 6-4 victory, the unpredictability chalked up another stunning chapter in this chaotic meta-narrative.

The final day dawned, marking the end of a dramatic ride through the World Cup. Having returned home from cricket, I anticipated an intense final between resilient Argentina and Spain, both showcasing their stout strategies throughout the tournament.

Ultimately, Ferran Torres’ goal in extra time sealed Spain’s victory, fulfilling my predictions so poignantly as Argentina’s attack lost steam under pressure.

For both teams, the time would surely cast reflections on missed chances, especially under circumstances where they possessed enough firepower on their side. Still, the spirited competition culminated with Spain lifting the trophy for the second time.

With the summer of football coming to an end and club football looming, the memories will endure long into the next few years, making us yearn for the next World Cup that awaits us four years down the line.

And while the wait feels long, we can all look forward to the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where the joy and excitement of football are bound to ignite the spirit of a nation.