Tournament Format and Host
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18. It featured 32 national teams divided into eight groups of four, followed by knockout rounds. This was the first World Cup hosted in the Middle East and the first played in November and December to avoid Qatar’s summer heat.
Final and Champion
Argentina defeated France 4–2 in a penalty shootout after a 3–3 draw in the final at Lusail Stadium on December 18. Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist, while Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick for France. It was Argentina’s third World Cup title and the first final to end in a penalty shootout since 1994.
Records and Attendance
The tournament set new viewership records, with the final attracting an estimated 1.5 billion global viewers according to FIFA. It was also the highest-scoring final in World Cup history. The event used eight stadiums, including the reusable Lusail Stadium, and introduced new technologies such as semi-automated offside and cooling systems for player comfort.
For more details on match schedules and results, visit FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
