Kate Mason admits she is struggling to move on from the 2026 World Cup, still in the bargaining stage as England fans. Harry Kane said England's third-place finish 'hurts even more than other years, because everyone believed we were going all the way.' England's deep run was a huge reason she loved this tournament.
Memories and underdogs
The 4am victory against Mexico in a local pub ranks among her greatest football memories. She highlights the underdog stories: Cape Verde held Spain, Uruguay, and nearly Argentina. Scotland clung to a 5% chance of knockout progress. Nine African teams reached the knockout stages, with Egypt close to a historic quarter-final before Argentina prevailed.
Final and FIFA controversies
France eliminated Morocco to reach the semis, but Spain outclassed them in the final. Argentina took no shots until extra time, a blunt performance Mason attributes to Spain's superiority. The final featured hydration breaks and a record 27-minute, 19-second half-time interval. Mason criticizes FIFA's innovations: political interference for red cards, a top Somalian referee denied entry, high ticket prices, restrictions for Iran, and special broadcast slots for Gianni Infantino. She notes Infantino's apparent ambition to run the UN, which she says the UN is welcome to.
Football's enduring appeal
Despite unease over FIFA's changes, Mason concludes the World Cup reassures: football shines, people meet, and a collective team wins. She was glad to see the Muppets but wished they had left the podium before Spain's trophy lift.
