The World Cup is now over and it’s sad to think that it was all over so quickly. Before the tournament I expected a negative experience and too much Trump interference for it to be a success, but in the end football won out and we experienced all that is good in this most beautiful of games.

The Tartan Army were, as ever, wonderful to witness and they did more for Scottish tourism than any advertising campaign ever could. Donations to charities, an ability to drink a city dry and overt positivity easily made them the best fans of the 2026 World Cup. They actually were the best, there was a vote on it. Alongside Norway, Netherlands and so many other nation’s fans it was proof that many countries still enjoy themselves and that not everything has to be about dodgy politics, fighting with other countries and creating a negative world to live in.

Alas, the Scotland manager chose to try to sneak into the knockout stages on goal difference rather than giving it a real good go. It didn’t work and the Tartan Army’s party was curtailed early, but part of me wonders if this was always going to happen. Twelve groups and Scotland end up with the 6th and 7th ranked teams in the world in their group. That should not happen.

Africa was also a winner with a sense at the end that the continental will be a huge footballing powerhouse in the future. It would not surprise me to see an African nation continually being in the semi-finals of future World Cups.

The controversies over American red cards, Argentina continually getting good breaks, hydration (advertising) breaks, ticket pricing, VIP ticket value and so much more all became part of the spectacle of this World Cup and in many ways only added to the story.

A bronze medal match is always a loser’s game in the minds of the players, but what a match it turned out to be. Ten goals, some terrible defending and a training match feel made it the most enjoyable match of the whole tournament, and seeing the way the English and French players behaved towards each other after the final whistle showed that the game can be played without aggression or obvious cheating.

And the tournament was completed with Spain deservedly beating Argentina in the final. With the way Argentina acted in the semi final (put your silly Falklands flag away, it’s ours and always will be) and what appeared to be some questionable refereeing it meant that every country in the world wanted Spain to win. It was only the likes of FIFA who could see the benefit of Messi being the banner child to make more money for the organisation.

Whether by luck or design, this World Cup ended up being a huge success for anyone who loves watching good football. Football won, it really did and for me it sits alongside the very first World Cup I saw when I was just 8 years old. Nothing will ever beat that Archie Gemmill goal for me (below) as I sat next to my Granddad and watched him leap from his chair, but this World Cup came very close. It really is the beautiful game and always will be despite the efforts of some to make it only a money making enterprise.

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