It is nearly finished. No further hydration pauses, no forced camera sweeps toward film stars, and no dread over England's predictable exit. The Fifa World Cup 2026 has concluded, wrapping up another stretch of worldwide spectacle filled with meaning both on and off the field.

Even before Spain faced Argentina on the final Sunday, the outcome was obvious: football's top honor has become far more than a match; it now operates as a politically loaded financial powerhouse.

Over four weeks of games, vast sums changed hands in a festival of spending and business generosity, driven by ads, tickets, gear, betting, trips and luxury packages. Fifa projects the event will contribute $40.9bn to worldwide economic output, with the United States, the biggest economy among the three hosts ahead of Canada and Mexico, responsible for nearly half that figure.

Several factors explain the scale: few other sports gatherings reach as many viewers globally. The final is forecast to attract at least ten times the Super Bowl audience.

Fifa data indicate more than half the planet, roughly five billion people, caught at least some of the 2022 Qatar tournament. With more teams this time, overall interest is set to rise further.

Major events can generate real revenue and affect broader markets. Taylor Swift's 2024 tour reportedly lifted quarterly growth in Britain and Singapore, while a Beyonce show was linked to higher prices in Sweden.

Yet the gains are not always straightforward. Goldman Sachs research covering World Cups since 1982 found only a slight lift for host economies. Longer-term results are essentially flat, as much of the extra activity simply shifts spending from elsewhere and any surge fades quickly.

Preliminary US Federal Reserve figures show bars in Boston sold out of drinks when Scotland supporters arrived, but gains were offset by weaker spending elsewhere as prices climbed amid the Iran conflict. Ordinary visitors also steered clear of host venues due to crowds and steep costs.

Less tangible upsides exist. Goldman analysts note many supporters would pay extra to watch their nation triumph. National pride and shared joy add real value that GDP numbers miss.

Businesses clearly profit from the event. Sponsors, airlines, eateries, hotels and shops across all 48 nations recorded strong sales. Yet the story involves more than revenue; it centers on influence and who holds it.

Consider Fifa's official partners. Qatar Airways and Saudi Aramco, among the highest-tier backers paying up to $200m each, highlight fossil-fuel power and the ambitions of wealthy Gulf nations. Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa represent established western firms, while Hyundai-Kia and Lenovo stand for rising Asian economies.

Lower-tier sponsors include a cryptocurrency platform, banks, tech firms and even China's Mengniu Dairy as the official milk supplier. Some pairings feel odd for top-level sport, such as McDonald's as the quick-service restaurant partner or Frito-Lay as the snack sponsor. Others verge on the comical: a custom Louis Vuitton case for the trophy in New York, or Boggi Milano supplying formal wear for Fifa staff.

Six decades ago, when England won in 1966, pitch-side boards for Brylcreem and Gordon's Gin appeared for the first time. The Rolling Stones once mocked the rise of consumer culture; today the band sells limited vinyl covers tied to the tournament and contributes a track to the official album.

Fifa itself stands to earn well above the $7.6bn recorded in 2022.

Some commercial drive is logical. The body aims to expand football across 211 member nations, supporting youth, women's and community programs. The sport still unites people amid global divisions.

It would be naive to claim money and power never belonged in football. The game grew through empire and has long depended on financial backing to reach its current level, even if the relationship remains uneasy.

Still, has commercial reach gone too far? Heavy corporate involvement in a sport with working-class origins sits uneasily at a time when globalization faces pushback and many feel left behind by uneven growth.