Bacary Sagna Predicts Record-Breaking 2026 World Cup Spectacle in USA

Former France international Bacary Sagna has projected the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be a landmark event for global football, citing the United States' capacity to host large-scale sporting spectacles. The 41-year-old defender, who earned 65 caps for Les Bleus, expects the expanded tournament to set new benchmarks for attendance and commercial impact. Expanded Format and Infrastructure The 2026 edition will be the first in FIFA history to feature 48 teams, an increase from the 32-team format used since 1998. The tournament will be co-hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Sagna, a veteran of two World Cups (2010 and 2014), pointed to the existing stadium infrastructure in the U.S. as a primary driver for the tournament's anticipated success. The United States is scheduled to host 78 of the 104 matches, including all fixtures from the quarter-final stage through to the final. FIFA has confirmed the final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. Sagna noted that the American market's experience with high-profile sports entertainment ensures a unique atmosphere for international fans. Rising Football Interest in…