After much fretting and hand-wringing, including from within the lofty powers of soccer administration, the expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams has proven to be well received.
Several minnows have not only avoided humiliation but battled valiantly to shock results. Curaçao, Cabo Verde and DR Congo all earned impressive draws across the group stage and some of the smaller nations may even make it through to the round of 32.
