The real winners and losers of the 2026 World Cup

From the White House to Waffle House, here’s our debrief of who won and lost during the World Cup.

[Source Photo: Jordan Bank/FIFA/Getty Images, Jan Langhaug/NTB/AFP/Getty Images, Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock, Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg/Getty Images, Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images, Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images, Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images, Alex Pantling/FIFA/Getty Images]

Congratulations in advance to Argentina or Spain, but let’s be honest: Even before the opening whistle of the final, the 2026 World Cup has already produced undeniable winners and losers. And not just on the pitch, but in culture and business from the White House to Waffle House. Here, then, are our judgments on who and what emerged for better or worse from one of the world’s most significant socioeconomic events. (And no, our calls are not subject to video review!)  

Regardless of who wins what this weekend, no team scored more points with the public at large than Norway. Erling Haaland, their star player, was an imposing Viking on the field, leading his team to its first-ever quarterfinal........

© Fast Company