2022 FIFA World Cup
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| 2022 FIFA World Cup | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Year | 2022 |
| Other titles | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 |
| Country | Qatar |
| Dates | 20 November – 18 December |
| Num teams | 32 |
| Champion | ARG |
| Second | FRA |
| Third | CRO |
| Fourth | MAR |
| Matches | 64 |
| Goals | 172 |
| Attendance | 3404252 |
| Top scorer | FRA Kylian Mbappé, (8 goals) |
| Player | ARG Lionel Messi |
| Goalkeeper | ARG Emiliano Martínez |
| Young player | ARG Enzo Fernández |
| Prev | 2018 |
| Next | 2026 |
2022 FIFA World Cup was the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's football championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It was the first World Cup held in the Arab world and the second entirely in Asia after the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. The tournament, hosted by Qatar, took place from 20 November to 18 December 2022, making it the first not held in the traditional Northern Hemisphere summer due to the host nation's extreme summer heat.
Background and bidding
The bidding process for the hosting rights was initiated by FIFA in 2009, with several nations expressing interest. The final vote by the FIFA Executive Committee in 2010 awarded the tournament to Qatar over bids from the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. This decision was immediately controversial, sparking widespread allegations of corruption involving figures like former FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Subsequent investigations by entities like the U.S. Department of Justice and Swiss federal prosecutors examined the conduct of the bidding process. The choice of Qatar also raised significant human rights concerns regarding the treatment of migrant workers involved in construction projects, leading to intense scrutiny from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Qualification
The qualification process involved 210 FIFA member associations competing for 31 slots, with the host nation, Qatar, qualifying automatically. The confederations organized their own qualifying tournaments, such as the UEFA European Qualifiers, the CONMEBOL round-robin league, and the AFC Asian Cup qualification pathway. Notable teams that failed to qualify included four-time champions Italy, who lost to North Macedonia in the UEFA play-offs, and traditional powers like Chile, Colombia, and Egypt. Debutant nations included Canada, returning after 36 years, and Wales, making their first appearance since the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
Venues and infrastructure
All matches were played in eight state-of-the-art stadiums across five cities in Qatar: Lusail, Al Khor, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, and Doha. The centerpiece was the Lusail Stadium, which hosted the final. Other notable venues included the tent-inspired Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor and the Stadium 974 in Doha, constructed from shipping containers. The compact nature of the tournament, with venues within a 55-kilometer radius, eliminated the need for domestic air travel for teams and fans. This required massive infrastructure development, including the new Doha Metro system and major highway expansions to accommodate the influx of visitors.
Participating teams and squads
The 32 qualified national teams were required to submit final squads of 26 players. Reigning champions France aimed to defend their title, while Brazil, led by Neymar, and Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, were among the favorites. Other strong contenders included England, managed by Gareth Southgate, and Spain under Luis Enrique. The tournament featured a blend of veteran stars like Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and emerging talents such as Jude Bellingham of England and Jamal Musiala of Germany. Each squad's composition was heavily analyzed in the lead-up to the competition.
Tournament format and schedule
The format mirrored that of the previous several editions: a group stage followed by a knockout stage. The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four. The group stage ran from 20 November to 2 December, with the top two teams from each group advancing. The knockout stage commenced with the Round of 16 on 3 December, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final on 18 December. The third place play-off was held on 17 December. The schedule featured up to four matches per day during the group stage, a first for a modern World Cup.
Matches and results
The group stage produced several shocks, including Saudi Arabia's victory over Argentina and Japan's wins against Germany and Spain. The knockout phase was marked by dramatic matches, such as the quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina, and the semi-final where Argentina defeated Croatia. The other semi-final saw France overcome Morocco, who became the first African nation to reach that stage. The final at Lusail Stadium was a historic encounter between Argentina and France, widely regarded as one of the greatest finals ever. After a 3-3 draw featuring a hat-trick by Kylian Mbappé, Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout following extra time.
Aftermath and legacy
Argentina's victory cemented Lionel Messi's legacy as one of the sport's greatest players, finally winning the trophy that had eluded him. The tournament was praised for its unique atmosphere and operational smoothness but continued to be overshadowed by the pre-tournament controversies regarding Qatar's human rights record and the bidding process. Commercially, it was a major success for FIFA, with record global viewership and sponsorship revenue. The event's legacy in Qatar includes the permanent infrastructure and the potential for future mega-events, while its winter scheduling set a precedent for future hosts in similar climates. The focus of the football world subsequently shifted to the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Category:FIFA World Cup Category:2022 in association football Category:International sports competitions hosted by Qatar Category:2022 in Qatar