The final, won by Spain against Argentina after extra time, was the showpiece, but the wider story sat outside the stadium as much as inside it.
That mix is crucial. Major tournaments can sometimes feel like a short burst of attention. This looks closer to a region-wide commercial surge, with official fan events and travel demand helping push the final total beyond expectations.
Big sporting events are often judged by atmosphere and television pictures. Local leaders tend to judge them by pay packets and public revenue.
Those are the numbers that strengthen the case for hosting. They do not just flatter the organisers; they give city and state officials a concrete return to point to.
The smartest part of this story may be what happens after the confetti. Organisers have already completed or begun work on 17 community mini-pitches, while programmes reached more than 5,000 young people through clinics, tournaments and events.
That is where this World Cup will really be judged in the years ahead: not only by the final that crowned Spain, but by whether football stays visible and accessible in local communities long after the tournament glow fades. The next storyline to watch is simple - whether this summer’s cash surge becomes a lasting sporting footprint.