2022 FIFA World Cup

Lore & Background

Argentina were crowned champions after winning the final against title holder France 4–2 on penalties following a 3–3 draw after extra time. It was Argentina's third title and their first since 1986. French player Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the final and won the Golden Boot with eight goals. Argentine captain Lionel Messi won his second Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Teammates Emiliano Martínez won the Golden Glove and Enzo Fernández won the Young Player Award. The tournament set a record with 172 goals in the 32-team format.

In Their Own Story

Inside Lusail Stadium, the air was electric with a suffocating mix of blue-and-white hope and French resilience. The silence that followed the final penalty kick hung heavy for a heartbeat before erupting into a roar so violent it seemed to vibrate through the very concrete of Qatar's desert heart. Tears streamed down Lionel Messi's face as he reached for the gleaming trophy, lifted high above his head by teammates who had finally carried the weight of generations on their shoulders. The chant 'Campeones' didn't just echo; it surged from the stands and the pitch alike, a sound that promised this golden night would reverberate through Argentine history forever.

Reader's Guide

The tournament was the last with 32 teams, before expanding to 48 in 2026. It was held in November and December to avoid Qatar's summer heat, over 29 days with 64 matches in eight venues across five cities. Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. The match schedule was confirmed by FIFA on 15 July 2020, with the group stage starting 21 November and the final on 18 December at Lusail Stadium.

Did You Know?

• Kylian Mbappé became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst in 1966.
• Mbappé also became the first player to score in two consecutive finals since Vavá of Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
• Argentina were the first nation from outside Europe to win the tournament since 2002.
• The tournament cost over $220 billion, making it the most expensive World Cup ever.