local
Goals, technology and hydration breaks: How the biggest World Cup in history will be remembered
By James Robson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 19, 2026
· 6 min read
The World Cup final between Spain and defending champion Argentina marks the end of the biggest tournament in the competition’s history. At the final whistle in New Jersey on Sunday, a record 104 games will have been played across almost six weeks and three countries.The supersized tournament del...
Key takeaway At the final whistle in New Jersey on Sunday, a record 104 games will have been played across almost six weeks and three countries.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio soccer fans have been glued to their screens as the World Cup unfolded, with many likely cheering on underdog teams like Cape Verde, Congo, and Curaçao as they made history in the tournament. The expanded 48-team format brought more excitement and drama to the competition, and local fans may have appreciated the opportunity to see more teams from around the world compete on the biggest stage. As the city's own soccer community continues to grow, the success of these smaller teams could inspire local players and teams to strive for similar greatness. With the World Cup now coming to a close, San Antonio's soccer enthusiasts will be looking to their own local teams and leagues for their next fix of the beautiful game, and perhaps drawing inspiration from the thrilling matches and standout performances they witnessed over the past few weeks.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The World Cup final between Spain and defending champion Argentina marks the end of the biggest tournament in the competition’s history. At the final whistle in New Jersey on Sunday, a record 104 games will have been played across almost six weeks and three countries.The supersized tournament del...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by James Robson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter