Those bothered by low economic productivity are probably relieved that the FIFA World Cup only comes once every four years.

Packed stadiums in the host nations USA, Canada, and Mexico only tell part of the story in relation to the pull factor of the 2026 edition of international football’s greatest festival.

Globally, many millions of football lovers and some of those who usually have only passing interest in “The Beautiful Game” are now glued to their audiovisual devices daily.

It’s no different in Jamaica in terms of that overwhelming interest.

That’s even as we spare a thought for the people of the Hurricane Melissa-ravaged western parishes, where fans hamstrung by connectivity issues are jumping through hoops finding all sorts of innovative ways to watch.

Those unable to see are missing fascinating contests as the 48-team tournament approaches the close of its first phase and gets set for the upcoming Round-of-32 start of the knockout stage, which begins on June 28.

The Round of 32 involves 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and the top-eight third-placed teams.

Up to Friday afternoon, 19 teams including defending champions Argentina; France with the hugely talented marksman Mr Kylian Mbappe; the ever-popular, five-time champions Brazil; and four-time champions Germany had been confirmed to advance.

Among the bright sparks gone forward are Netherlands, Norway, Morocco, Colombia, and Ecuador. The latter, lifted eyebrows with a battling 2-1 victory over Germany on Thursday, thereby reminding us that they were runners-up to Argentina in the South American qualifying tournament.

Fans in the Caribbean, as well as North and Central America should be happy that the premier Concacaf representatives, the hosts, are through to the knockout phase.

Mexico were arguably most impressive of those three, playing fast, fearless football and winning all three group games.

The USA have looked good despite a 2-3 loss to eliminated, under-achieving Turkiye on Thursday night.

For Jamaicans with an eye for the future, a good tournament for the USA and Canada will very likely boost the growing popularity of soccer in those parts, thereby opening more windows for Jamaican professionals to grow and earn.

In terms of teams progressing up to late afternoon Friday, surely the biggest surprise was South Africa.

After a losing start to the tournament, falling 0-2 to Mexico, the South Africans drew with Czechia, then stunned higher-ranked South Korea 1-0 to advance.

And all neutrals were surely cheering for Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) on Friday evening against Saudi Arabia in the quest for a place among the advancing 32.

A small Atlantic island nation off the West African coast with just over 530,000 people, Cabo Verde stole hearts by drawing with Spain and Uruguay.

At the individual level, Mr Lionel Messi’s fans are thrilled that the 38-year-old has so far scored five goals, including a hatrick, becoming the leading scorer in men’s World Cup history.

After a slow start, 41-year-old Mr Cristiano Ronaldo got going, scoring twice in Portugal’s 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan.

It’s an extraordinary thing that in 96 years since the very first World Cup, only eight nations have won the World Cup: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay, England, and Spain.

For many neutrals it’s full time for a new world champion. Time will soon tell.