SOCCER: Bigger or better? The beautiful game's growth knows no bounds

LONDON — Bigger does not always mean better, but try telling that to those who govern the world’s most popular sport as they reflect on a jam-packed year and begin the countdown to a super-sized World Cup that will dwarf previous tournaments.

World soccer’s governing body FIFA — not to mention continental confederations, national leagues, and broadcasters — insists that the appetite for the “beautiful game” remains insatiable and points to the past 12 months as proof.

FIFA described its expanded 32-team Club World Cup as a “roaring success,” with 2.4 million fans attending the summer tournament in the United States, including 81,000 for the final in which Chelsea defeated Paris St Germain.

However, the fact that Auckland City FC lost 10-0 to Bayern Munich and 6-0 to Benfica, while Al Ain suffered 5-0 and 6-0 defeats, raised questions about quality control. Similar mismatches are expected to feature at the World Cup.

A record 48 nations — up from 32 in Qatar in 2022 — will converge on the United States, Canada, and Mexico for a 104-match tournament that will test the endurance of players, supporters, and media alike.

Player welfare has already emerged as a flashpoint, with global players’ union FIFPro warning of rising injury rates and burnout amid an ever-expanding calendar.

Once the likes of Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan enjoy their moments in the spotlight, the World Cup is likely to reach its decisive stages with the familiar contenders — holders Argentina, France, Brazil, Spain, England, and Germany — battling for the coveted crown.

MESSI AND RONALDO COULD MEET IN LAST DANCE

Television commentators may need extensive notes for some unfamiliar names, but two players will need no introduction.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo — the two dominant players of the 21st century — have never faced each other at the World Cup. If results unfold as expected, they could meet for a final showdown in a Kansas City quarterfinal, where Ronaldo would be 41 and Messi 39.

Neither showed signs of slowing down in 2025. Ronaldo continued scoring freely for Al-Nassr and helped Portugal capture the UEFA Nations League title, while Messi won the MLS Cup with Inter Miami, along with the league’s MVP award and Golden Boot.

With both stars now outside soccer’s European heartland, new talents have flourished.

Chief among them was Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the Year winner Ousmane Dembele, whose goals propelled Paris St Germain to a treble, including their first UEFA Champions League title.

DEMBELE HELPS PSG FINALLY DELIVER

Dembele scored 33 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions and added two assists as PSG finally delivered for their Qatari owners, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final.

He edged out stiff competition, including teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who played a key role in Barcelona’s 28th Spanish league title, and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, whose 47 goal involvements — 29 goals and 18 assists — powered Liverpool to the Premier League crown in Dutch coach Arne Slot’s dream debut season.

England captain Harry Kane finished only 13th in the Ballon d’Or voting despite ending the season as the Bundesliga’s top scorer for the second straight year as Bayern Munich reclaimed the title.

Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati secured a third consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin, underlining Spain’s dominance in the women’s game, though she endured heartbreak as Spain lost the Euro 2025 final to England on penalties.

The tournament continued the rapid growth of women’s soccer, drawing record-breaking crowds, while FIFA confirmed plans for an expanded Women’s Club World Cup beginning in 2027.

UEFA’s revamped men’s Champions League format — featuring a 36-team league phase — won over skeptics, with 27 clubs still in contention heading into the eighth and final round of matches.

While the format produced drama, it ultimately favored the elite clubs. None benefited more than PSG, who lost three of their first five matches, finished 15th overall, and then surged through the knockout rounds.

Six English clubs qualified for the 2025-26 Champions League, reinforcing the Premier League’s financial dominance. Its 20 teams spent a combined £3 billion ($4.01 billion) during the summer transfer window — more than clubs in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A combined.

Technology also advanced in 2025, with FIFA rolling out accelerated semi-automated offside detection. Next year’s World Cup is set to be the most technologically advanced ever, including the new Trionda ball fitted with an AI chip designed to help officials make accurate decisions.

($1 = 0.7487 pounds) -Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters