I have the same feeling. For me, and my friends as kids it was the world cups of 98 and 2002. The goals, celebrations and the whole feeling of daily seeing the best players in the world.The format, the qualification, the values behind it - it's just another cash cow in an industry bloated with money and a reflection of everything wrong with society.
Maybe it's because I'm older but I remember being a kid and the int competitions being just incredible - football in the park with mates every day, playing out the games - even 94 when England weren't in it we were engrossed. Not seeing the same vibe for kids nowadays.
I guess with streaming services, internet etc - there is plenty to keep people entertained now.
But i think the biggest issue is how we are overexposed to football these days. With longer seasons and more and larger competitions there are periods where there is a match every day. There is little, if nothing, special about the world cups these days.