local
Larger World Cup led to predictions of lopsided affairs. The results tell a different story
By TALES AZZONI, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 20, 2026
· 1 min read
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Not long after FIFA announced an expanded 48-team World Cup, criticism began to pour in about how the quality of the tournament would likely be worsened. The critics argued that by allowing smaller teams to the expanded field, the number of weak matchups would increase,...
Key takeaway The critics argued that by allowing smaller teams to the expanded field, the number of weak matchups would increase, as would the chances of lopsided [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
The debate over the expanded World Cup format has implications for local soccer fans in McAllen , many of whom closely follow international competitions. As the Rio Grande Valley is home to a diverse population with strong ties to Mexico and other countries participating in the World Cup, the tournament's quality and competitiveness are of great interest. The fact that the expanded format has not led to the predicted number of lopsided affairs may bode well for local fans, who can look forward to more competitive and exciting matches in future tournaments. This could also have a positive impact on the local soccer scene, potentially inspiring more young players in the McAllen area to develop their skills and compete at higher levels. As the Valley's soccer community continues to grow, the success of the expanded World Cup format will likely be closely watched by fans and players alike.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Not long after FIFA announced an expanded 48-team World Cup, criticism began to pour in about how the quality of the tournament would likely be worsened. The critics argued that by allowing smaller teams to the expanded field, the number of weak matchups would increase,...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by TALES AZZONI, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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