2022 FIFA World Cup
Argentina's third title, Mbappé's hat-trick, and a historic Middle East host.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was the 22nd FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for national football teams organised by FIFA. It took place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022, after the country was awarded the hosting rights in 2010. It was the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula, and the second in an Asian country after the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan. This tournament was the last with 32 participating teams, before increasing to 48 for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina were crowned the champions after winning the final against the 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.
Quick Facts
- Final result
- 3–3 after extra time; Argentina won 4–2 on penalties
- France's world cup titles
- 2 (1998, 2018)
Lore & Background
Morocco made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-final of a World Cup, falling short 0–2 against France. Argentine captain Lionel Messi was voted the tournament's best player, winning his second Golden Ball. Teammates Emiliano Martínez won the Golden Glove, awarded to the tournament's best goalkeeper, and Enzo Fernández won the Young Player Award. French player Kylian Mbappé became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final and won the Golden Boot as he scored the most goals (eight) during the tournament. Mbappé also became the first player to score in two consecutive finals since Vavá of Brazil did the same in 1958 and 1962. With 172 goals, the tournament set a record for the highest number of goals scored in the 32-team format, with every participating team scoring at least one goal.
Reader's Guide
The tournament was held over a reduced time frame of 29 days with 64 matches played in eight venues across five cities. Qatar entered the event—their first World Cup—automatically as the host's national team, alongside 31 teams determined by the qualification process. The group stage began on 21 November, with the Qatar vs Ecuador game moved to 20 November after Qatar lobbied FIFA. The final was played on 18 December 2022, National Day, at Lusail Stadium. The tournament featured new substitution rules whereby teams could make up to five substitutions in normal time, and an additional substitution in extra time. It was the first World Cup to feature concussion substitutions. Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand suffered a concussion in his country's opening match against England and was replaced by Hossein Hosseini, the first use of a dedicated concussion substitute during a World Cup.
Did You Know?
- Argentina were the first nation from outside of Europe to win the tournament since 2002.
- At an estimated cost of over $220 billion, it is the most expensive World Cup ever held to date; this figure is disputed by Qatari officials.
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