sports
Who did it best? USA 1994 versus World Cup 2026
From the hairstyles to the stadiums, the kits to the celebrations, we take a look at the changing face of the game.
TL;DR
- Stadium technology has evolved from discrete scoreboards in 1994 to massive LED screens in 2026, with the Los Angeles Stadium screen being the world's largest.
- Player styles and fashion have changed, from the iconic hairstyles of Carlos Valderrama in 1994 to the modern kits and boot colors seen in 2026.
- Celebrations have also evolved, with Bebeto's 'rock the baby' in 1994 contrasting with modern tributes like Matheus Cunha's surfing celebration.
- Technological advancements are also seen in the World Cup balls, with the Adidas Questra from 1994 and the Adidas Trionda from 2026 reflecting different design philosophies.
- Playing conditions have improved, with 1994 experiencing extreme heat without water breaks, while 2026 incorporates hydration breaks even in climate-controlled stadiums.
- Player records continue to be broken, with Lionel Messi becoming the all-time top scorer and Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the second oldest scorer, following in the footsteps of legends like Maradona and Roger Milla.