Winners, losers from thrilling World Cup that silenced all of its doubts

For 39 consecutive days, the world moved into North America, unpacking its flags, songs, superstitions and rivalries, then turned 16 cities across three countries into soccer’s largest block parties.The first 48-team World Cup arrived carrying understandable concerns.Would the infrastructure hold? Were tickets too expensive? Would fans travel far?By the time Spain lifted the trophy Sunday night, nearly every doubt had been buried beneath gold confetti.A record 6,810,966 spectators attended 104 matches.

Television audiences soared in the United States and around the globe.The final between Spain and Argentina drew an estimated audience approaching 2 billion, capping a tournament whose cumulative reach was measured in the billions.Now that the stadium lights have dimmed, here are the World Cup’s biggest winners and losers.The U.S.

did more than stage 78 matches without a major security incident.It welcomed the world.

Americans embraced Viking rows, bagpipes, Japanese cleanup, Curaçaoan dancing and every visiting tradition in between.The world discovered barbecue, ranch dressing, NFL stadiums and a country far warmer than its headlines suggested.The video assistant referee became the tournament’s accidental villain.

Croatia’s hair touch against Portugal, Argentina’s favorable reviews and disputed decisions involving Egypt, Germany and Norway repeatedly strangled celebration.Technology was supposed to correct obvious mistakes.

Instead, it stifled the joy that is the “beautiful game.”Canada hosted its first World Cup and reached the Round of 16 for the first time.Mexico finally escaped its knockout curse by beating Ecuador at the Azteca.

Together with the U.S., the nations proved North America could host the planet without losing the tournament’s color, noise or identity.Balogun’s overturned suspension should have been a football matter.Instead, outside interference, public claims of influence and FIFA’s muddled messaging created a circus arou...