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| FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Name | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 |
| Year | 2022 |
| Country | Qatar |
| Dates | 20 November – 18 December 2022 |
| Teams | 32 |
| Cities | Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Lusail, Education City, Al Khor, Ras Abu Aboud, Khalifa International |
| Champion | Argentina |
| Runner-up | France |
| Third | Croatia |
| Fourth | Morocco |
| Matches | 64 |
| Goals | 172 |
| Top scorer | Kylian Mbappé |
| Best player | Lionel Messi |
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was the 22nd edition of the quadrennial international men's association football tournament organized by FIFA. Held in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022, the tournament featured 32 national teams from six confederations competing in eight stadia across multiple municipalities, culminating in the final at Lusail Stadium. The competition concluded with Argentina defeating France in a penalty shootout after a 3–3 draw, while Croatia secured third place over Morocco.
The successful bid by Qatar followed a competitive process that included bids from Australia, Japan, South Korea, and United States. The selection by FIFA Executive Committee involved scrutiny amid controversies linked to allegations of corruption, labour practices, and ethics inquiries. The decision to stage the tournament in November–December was taken to avoid extreme summer heat and required adjustments to international calendars governed by UEFA, CAF, AFC, and CONMEBOL schedules, prompting coordination with FIFA member associations and domestic leagues such as Premier League and La Liga.
Qualification involved confederation campaigns including UEFA qualifiers, CONMEBOL World Cup qualification matches, AFC rounds, CONCACAF World Cup qualification, CAF World Cup qualification, and OFC World Cup qualification. Notable qualifiers included host Qatar as an automatic entrant, debutants Qatar (hosts) aside, and first-time finals participants such as Wales and Canada after long absences. The inter-confederation play-offs decided additional berths, featuring nations like Australia and Peru. Several high-profile teams such as Italy and United States navigated complex qualification formats overseen by FIFA and confederations.
Stadia included Lusail Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Education City Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, and the temporary Ras Abu Aboud Stadium. Infrastructure projects encompassed the Doha Metro, road networks, and accommodation developments in municipalities such as Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Al Khor, and Lusail City. Construction involved international contractors and drew attention from organizations like ILO and human rights groups. Stadium designs referenced regional heritage and employments of cooling technology tested against WHO heat guidelines. Security coordination included agencies from Qatar Armed Forces, regional partners, and international event-security firms.
Each participating nation submitted a 26-player squad in compliance with FIFA regulations, with national associations and managers such as Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Didier Deschamps (France), Roberto Mancini (Italy — non-qualifier), and Hervé Renard (Morocco) overseeing selection. High-profile selections included Lionel Messi (Argentina), Kylian Mbappé (France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), and Luka Modrić (Croatia). Injuries, club-release negotiations involving institutions like UEFA Champions League clubs and national federations influenced final lists. Squad tactics reflected coaching philosophies associated with managers from federations such as Argentine Football Association and French Football Federation.
The tournament used six groups of four teams progressing to a 16-team knockout stage, with the draw conducted under FIFA World Ranking seeding procedures and broadcast by global partners including Al Jazeera and BBC Sport. The format mirrored previous editions with group-stage round-robin matches and single-elimination rounds from the round of 16 through to the final, governed by FIFA Laws of the Game and match officials appointed by FIFA Referees Committee. Video assistance came from Video Assistant Referee systems and technology providers contracted by FIFA.
Group matches featured teams from confederations including UEFA, CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, and OFC. Notable group-stage outcomes included Argentina topping their group, Germany experiencing an early exit, and Belgium failing to progress. Matches produced tactical encounters influenced by managers like Gareth Southgate (England), Tite (Brazil), and Jürgen Klinsmann (not present) and involved players from clubs across competitions such as Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga.
The knockout rounds advanced through the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, with dramatic fixtures involving teams such as Argentina, France, Croatia, and Morocco. Upsets included Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina in a group upset, and Morocco becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. The final at Lusail Stadium featured stars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé and concluded after a penalty shootout overseen by match officials appointed by FIFA.
Statistics encompassed tournament totals—64 matches and 172 goals—tracked by FIFA statisticians and media outlets such as ESPN and The Guardian. Awards included the Golden Ball for best player (Lionel Messi), Golden Boot for top scorer (Kylian Mbappé), Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, and the FIFA Young Player Award. The FIFA Fair Play Award and FIFA Fan Award recognised conduct and supporter engagement. Tournament legacy discussions involved institutions like Qatar University, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and regional networks evaluating economic and social impacts.
Category:FIFA World Cup Category:2022 in association football