Multiple outlets describe the World Cup as a mix of exceptional football and troubling moments, arguing that the sport itself ultimately prevails. The articles characterize the tournament as “jarring” and compelling, highlighting the contrast between the best aspects of the competition—such as top-level play and memorable matches—and the worst aspects, without specifying in the provided excerpts what those negative elements were. Each source uses similar language to frame the event as occurring “despite everything FIFA threw at it,” implying that controversies, governance decisions, or administrative actions associated with FIFA shape the context around the tournament. At the same time, the outlets conclude that football remains the central outcome, presenting the World Cup as a showcase of the game’s appeal even amid operational or political challenges. While the excerpts emphasize overall tone and impact rather than detailed incidents, the consistent theme across sources is that high-quality competition and public engagement persist despite FIFA-related controversy.