Ex-FIFA chief Blatter calls for new leadership after World Cup

Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title on Sunday, beating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, capitalizing after Argentina's Enzo Fernández was sent off for a second yellow card in the 93rd minute, leaving the defending champions to play extra time with 10 men.sports.yahoo+2

The victory capped a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first World Cup to feature 48 teams — and one that was marked as much by political controversy as sporting drama.nbcnewyork+1

A Final Decided by Discipline

The match remained goalless through 90 minutes before Fernández's dismissal shifted the balance. Thirty-nine seconds into the second half of extra time, Torres thumped in an 8-yard shot to shatter Argentina's resistance. President Donald Trump presented the trophy to Spain's players after the match, according to ABC News.abcnews+2

For Argentina and Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami CF in MLS, the defeat may have marked the end of a generation. ESPN described the final as "what may be Messi's last dance."espn

Blatter Lashes Out, Calls for New FIFA Leadership

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter issued a sharp rebuke of the tournament after the final, posting on X: "The longest World Cup has come to an end — with the right champions. But on the way to the final whistle, the tournament had lost its credibility. Politics must not be allowed to overshadow the game."thespun+2

Blatter, who was banned from FIFA in 2015, called for new leadership to replace current president Gianni Infantino, according to The Independent. He had urged fans to boycott the tournament as early as January, citing concerns over U.S. politics.sports.yahoo+2

Mexico's Tourism Returns Fall Short

Mexico's economic returns from the tournament fell well below expectations. A Deloitte study found the country's World Cup economic impact reached $2.54 billion — 7% below forecasts — while total visitor numbers came in at just 494,000, far short of the 836,000 initially projected by the private sector. The government's Tourism Ministry had originally forecast up to 5.5 million visitors to host cities, a figure that proved wildly optimistic.mexicobusiness+2

The shortfall was attributed to dynamic ticket pricing and a consumer displacement effect that discouraged both domestic and international tourism during match windows.mexicobusiness