The 2026 World Cup has concluded, and according to Podrobno.uz, the tournament set numerous records for goals scored, attendance, and financial payouts. Spain won the world championship title, while Uzbekistan participated in the World Cup for the first time.
In the final match, Spain defeated the reigning champion Argentina. Although the score was minimal, this match was part of the largest World Cup in history, which spanned three countries, featured 48 national teams, and consisted of 104 games. Only one accurate shot decided the fate of the tournament.
During regular time, Spain took 15 shots, while Argentina failed to hit the target even once. The Spanish team converted 20 shots out of 3, but no goal was scored before extra time. Emiliano Martínez set a record for World Cup finals by making 12 saves. Argentina only managed to shoot at goal after the 90th minute, already playing with a man down after Enzo Fernández's sending off.
Spain demonstrated exceptional defense, conceding only one goal in eight matches, which is the lowest figure among all World Cups. Unai Simón also set a record by finishing seven matches without conceding a goal. The only team that managed to break through this defense was Belgium in the quarterfinals. Interestingly, the future champion started their journey with a goalless draw against Cabo Verde.
Three of the four major individual awards went to the Spanish dressing room: Rodri received the 'Golden Ball' as the best player, Unai Simón received the 'Golden Glove', and Pau Cubarsí was named the best young footballer. Kylian Mbappé received the 'Golden Boot'. This tournament showed that team success is built on a cohesive system, not just on geniuses.
Lionel Messi, who was 39 years and 25 days old at the time of the tournament, became the oldest field player in the finals history. He finished the tournament with 21 goals in World Cups, playing 33 matches and participating in a third final. Argentina was close to winning a second consecutive title but failed to score a single goal in 90 minutes.
Kylian Mbappé set a new absolute record for goals in World Cups, scoring 22 goals. In the bronze medal match, he scored a brace, overtaking Messi and ending the tournament with ten goals in eight games. For the first time in one World Cup, four players scored at least seven goals: Mbappé, Messi (with eight), Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland (with seven).
Haaland scored seven goals in his first World Cup, turning Norway's return after a 28-year hiatus into a bright playoff story. The Norwegians eliminated Brazil in the Round of 16, with both goals scored by the forward late in the match. Brazil exited earlier than since 1990, and Norway reached the quarterfinals for the first time.
The total amount of funds allocated by FIFA to the 48 associations was increased to $871 million after review. Each national team received $2.5 million for preparation and $10 million for participation, plus over $16 million for delegation expenses. Thus, even a debutant who finished the group stage is guaranteed at least $12.5 million.
More than 6.8 million spectators passed through the turnstiles of 16 stadiums, almost double the 1994 record in the USA. On average, one match attracted about 65.5 thousand people. The tournament demonstrated the ability to transform complex logistics into a mass spectacle.
Four national teams debuted at the World Cup: Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. All of them scored their first goals. Cabo Verde even scored points against the future champion. For some countries, this tournament marked the beginning of a new national biography.
Uzbekistan, despite earning zero points, became a historic team. Abbosbek Faizullaev scored the country's first goal at the World Cup against Colombia, and Eldor Shomurodov scored in the final match. Uzbekistan appeared in the World Cup for the first time, scored a goal, and had its goalscorer.
A total of 308 goals were scored in 104 matches, setting a new absolute World Cup record, averaging 2.96 goals per game. This significantly exceeds the maximum of Qatar-2022 (172 goals in 64 matches). Furthermore, fans consumed 420,000 hot dogs, equivalent to 63 kilometers.
Technology also played a role: sensors recorded ball acceleration at 500 times per second, and cameras filmed up to 29 points on each player 50 times per second, assisting VAR.
The international women's tennis tournament 'Livesport Prague Open' has started in Prague, Czech Republic. Maria Timofeeva from Uzbekistan is participating in this competition and ranks second in national tennis.
In the first round, Maria Timofeeva played a match against Alexandra Sasnovich, who competed under a neutral flag. The match lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes, during which Maria Timofeeva demonstrated excellent play and won with a score of 6:3, 6:4, thus advancing to the second stage of the competition.
Before the match, Maria Timofeeva's WTA ranking was 84th, while Alexandra Sasnovich held the 133rd position in the ranking.
Now the Uzbek tennis player must take to the court against the winner of the match between Anna Blinkova, competing under a neutral flag, and Sara Beleková, representing the Czech Republic, to contend for the quarterfinals.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made several significant amendments to the playing conditions before the start of the 2026-27 domestic cricket season. These changes are implemented as a result of modifications made to cricket rules by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and they will primarily affect bowlers, wicketkeepers, and the conduct of multi-day matches.
The BCCI has distributed these revised rules to all state cricket associations. Furthermore, umpires and match referees are being provided with special training to effectively implement these provisions in the upcoming domestic season.
The biggest change has been made concerning front-foot no balls. If it is found that a bowler deliberately bowls a front-foot no ball, they will not only be prevented from bowling but will also be suspended from the entire match. This strict rule will also apply to deliberately bowling dangerous beamers (a ball that passes over the batsman's head without bouncing). Previously, in such cases, the bowler was only prevented from bowling in that innings while remaining part of the match and could bowl in the next innings; this arrangement has now been abolished.
The BCCI has also made significant adjustments in multi-day cricket like First Class. Now, if a wicket falls during the final over of the day, the game will not end immediately. If a wicket falls on the fifth ball, the new batsman will be required to come out and play the last ball, ensuring that the final over of the day is completed under all circumstances.
Team captains in One Day International (ODI) cricket have also been granted some leeway. They can now go onto the field during the drinks break to discuss strategy with their players, whereas this activity was previously prohibited. The rules for wicketkeepers have also been improved; they can now hold their hands in front of the stumps while bowling, provided their hands are behind the stumps at the moment of release. This change addresses past incidents where the wicketkeeper's gloves were found in front of the stumps before releasing the ball, leading to the umpire declaring it a no ball.
The BCCI believes that through these changes, discipline in domestic cricket will increase, rules will become clearer for players, and match conduct will align with international standards.
Former Springboks player Bismaark du Plessis shared his opinion on the rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks. He noted that all the exciting events in this fifty-year confrontation make it so significant.
The 42-year-old du Plessis, who now farms in the Free State, recalls the All Blacks tours, saying that the 1996 series was epic for him during his youth. He also expressed satisfaction at having participated in a clash with Dan Carter, whom he greatly respected.
The format of this great rivalry includes four test matches, which is a long series potentially ending in a 2-2 draw. Du Plessis believes such an outcome would be the worst. He emphasized that such long series attract a lot of interest and excitement, and he would like to see a level of public support comparable to the Lions tours.
When asked about the ranking of Springboks players, besides Malcolm Marx, recognized as World Player of the Year, du Plessis evaded the question. He stated that he is not a selector and has never liked 'coaching advice from the sidelines' during the game. In his opinion, the most important thing is that the Boks play well and win.
He added that it is impressive to be able to make ten changes to the team while maintaining a high tempo. Du Plessis insists that hierarchies do not concern him; what matters much more is that every player possesses resilience and ferocity.
Du Plessis is confident that Rassie Erasmus's team has another level of strength to dominate Australia next year. He believes that winning three World Cups in a row would be the perfect culmination of success, although winning four World Cups is already a brilliant achievement.
