Qatar 2022
The 2022 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Qatar, stood out as the first to be held in the Arab and Muslim world, and was the last of the 32-team format before the expansion to 48 teams for 2026. Amidst a backdrop of controversy, including criticism over human rights issues and allegations of corruption, the event also broke new ground by moving to a cooler, late-year schedule. The tournament saw Argentina clinch their third title, overcoming France in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw—marking their first triumph since 1986. Kylian Mbappé's final hat-trick and Golden Boot achievement, along with Lionel Messi's Golden Ball win, underscored individual brilliance, while the tournament's record 172 goals reflected an overall attacking display. Qatar 2022 has been considered exceptionally poetic as the capstone of Lionel Messi's career, for some commentators fulfilling a previously unmet criterion to be regarded the greatest player of all time.
Knockout stage
group stage
| Group A | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
2  Senegal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
3  Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
4  Qatar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Group B | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
2  United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
3  Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
4  Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Group C | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
2  Poland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
3  Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
4  Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Group D | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
2  Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
3  Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
4  Denmark | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Group E | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
2  Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
3  Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
4  Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 3 |
| Group G | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Brazil | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
2  Switzerland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
3  Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
4  Serbia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| Group H | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Portugal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
2  South Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
3  Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
4  Ghana | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
Top scorers
Kylian Mbappé (8)Lionel Messi (7)Olivier Giroud (4)Julián Álvarez (4)Bukayo Saka (3)Enner Valencia (3) Richarlison (3)Marcus Rashford (3)Gonçalo Ramos (3)Álvaro Morata (3)