Has Infantino's expanded World Cup worked?

The Athletic FC Podcast anticipates the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, emphasizing the unique nature of this tournament. Guests Adam Crafton and Paul Tenorio discuss how the event has turned out to be more of a festival of football than anticipated. Despite concerns over ticket prices and logistics, they note the vibrant atmosphere among immigrant communities supporting their national teams and the overall excitement generated by high-profile matches and players.

With the influence of the Canadian wildfires affecting air quality in New York, the hosts worry about how it may impact players and spectators ahead of the final. They consider this tournament as an opportunity for the U.S. to grow as a football nation, especially with the support of local expatriate communities engaging more with soccer.

The conversation shifts towards hydration breaks and the lengthening of halftime, which might change the dynamics of the match experience. Infantino's push to expand the tournament format to include more teams raises questions about the future of World Cup competitions. The hosts also address the implications of having prominent figures, like Donald Trump, at the final, noting the potential for controversy and publicity.

Wrapping up, they highlight the success of the World Cup in making soccer more popular in the U.S. and ponder its legacy on Major League Soccer (MLS) and the sport in North America overall, promising to explore these themes further in the upcoming episode.